Cannula breakage during 25G+ minimally invasive vitrectomy: a case report

BACKGROUND: With the continuous improvement of surgical instruments in vitrectomy, the use of a trocar and cannula not only optimizes the incision process but also facilitates insertion and withdrawal of instruments during the procedure. Nevertheless, incision-related complications have also been reported in the literature. However, cannula fractures during 25G+ minimally invasive vitrectomy have rarely been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old man underwent 25G+ pars plana vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. At the beginning of the operation, we used a trocar with a cannula to perform the sclerotomy. After the trocar was pulled out, the cannula was not seen on the surface of the sclera. Thus the inside and outside of the eye were carefully searched. The broken cannula tip was found in the ciliary body corresponding to the superonasal sclerotomy site and was subsequently removed. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness regarding the risk of intraoperative fractures of 25G+ minimally invasive ocular surgical instruments is imperative. Whenever a broken or missing cannula is encountered, the residual part should be immediately extracted to avoid revision surgeries and postoperative complications.