Direct Ophthalmic Viscoelastic Device Plug Technique for Sclerotomy Closure in 25-Gauge Microincision Vitrectomy Surgery.

Background

AND

Objective

This study describes a direct ophthalmic viscoelastic device (OVD) plug technique for sclerotomy closure and compares it with conventional scleral massage in 25-gauge micro-incision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS). PATIENTS AND

Methods

This retrospective comparative study included 79 eyes: 41 treated with the OVD-plug technique and 38 with scleral massage. The primary outcome was the proportion of eyes requiring suturing at one or both superior ports.

Results

Suturing was required in 36.6% of eyes in the OVD-plug group and 57.9% in the scleral-massage group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = .073). In exploratory multivariable analysis, air/gas tamponade, but not treatment group, was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of suturing. Postoperative intraocular pressure and hypotony were similar between groups.

Conclusions

The OVD-plug technique showed a numerically lower suturing rate, but its comparative effectiveness remains uncertain. Air/gas tamponade was associated with lower odds of suturing.