Twenty-seven-gauge vitrectomy for combined tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment involving the macula associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

BACKGROUND: To report our experience using 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) system for treating patients with combined tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (CTRRD) involving the macula associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: Retrospective noncomparative interventional cases series of 12 patients with CTRRD associated with PDR who underwent 3-port, transconjunctival 27-gauge PPV by a single surgeon. Main outcome measures were change in Snellen best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and occurrence of intra- and post-operative complications. RESULTS: Twelve eyes from 12 patients (9 men and 3 women) underwent 27-gauge PPV. Mean follow-up was 17 months (range 8–26 months). Preoperatively, BCVA of 20/400 or better was recorded in only 2 of 12 (16.7%) eyes. Postoperatively, BCVA improved to 20/400 or better in 11 of 12 (91.7%) eyes at 6 months (P = 0.001). At last follow-up, BCVA of 20/400 or better was recorded in 10 of 12 (83.3%), in comparison to 2 (16.7%) eyes at baseline (P = 0.004). The only intraoperative complication was an iatrogenic break in 1 eye (8.3%). Postoperative complications included vitreous hemorrhage in 4 eyes (33.3%) and transient ocular hypertension in 3 eyes (25.0%). At final follow-up anatomic success was confirmed in all eyes. CONCLUSION: The current study findings suggest that 27-gauge PPV is a safe and promising surgical technology for treating patients with CTRRD involving the macula associated with PDR. Smaller gauge instruments and higher cutting rates may facilitate the dissection and shaving of fibrovascular membranes, while minimizing intra- and post-operative complications. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40942-017-0091-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.