BIMANUAL MICROINCISION VITREOUS SURGERY FOR SEVERE PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY: OUTCOME IN MORE THAN 300 EYES

[Outcomes of bimanual vitreoretinal surgery in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy complications]

The incidence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) requiring vitreorentinal surgery is increasing. The search for new effective and safe methods of treatment, the choice of the optimal time for surgery, and the assessment of long-term treatment outcomes are relevant problems.

PURPOSE

This study evaluates the long-term results of vitreorentinal surgery using the bimanual technique in DR with different stages of fibrovascular proliferation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 135 patients (135 eyes) who were divided into groups depending on the predominant type of proliferation - vascular or fibrous. Patients underwent vitrectomy with membranectomy using the bimanual technique, with peripheral panretinal endolaser coagulation of the retina and tamponade of the vitreous cavity with balanced salt solution. The postoperative observation period lasted up to 12 months.

RESULTS

Both groups showed statistically significant improvement in visual function and anatomical changes in central retinal thickness. A statistically significant improvement in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was found in patients with initially predominantly vascular proliferation. Correlation analysis showed that initially higher BCVA tends to persist in the postoperative period. A negative correlation was found between the final BCVA and the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, fibrous stage of proliferation, high central retinal thickness, and the presence of diabetic macular edema (DME) - both initially and after treatment. The frequency of complications in the groups was comparable, except for postoperative DME, which was more often detected in patients with fibrous proliferation.

CONCLUSION

The bimanual technique of vitreorentinal surgery for complications of DR allows achieving high anatomical and functional results. Higher BCVA is noted in patients with the vascular stage of proliferation and initially high BCVA. The obtained data allow us to form a hypothesis about the possibility of earlier surgery in patients with high BCVA, but require further investigation.

Minimal, Relaxing Membranectomies for the Management of Opacified Hyaloid With Diabetic Tractional Retinal Detachments in Monocular Patients: A Novel Surgical Technique

PURPOSE

Vitrectomy for severe tractional retinal detachments is a high-risk procedure given the surgical complexity and potential for postoperative complications. The risk is compounded when operating on monocular patients. We developed a novel technique using hyaloidal removal and minimal relaxing membranectomies for tractional retinal detachments with an opacified hyaloid over the fovea in monocular, diabetic patients and evaluated complications and outcomes.

METHODS

The technique was performed in nine monocular, diabetic patients with decreased visual acuity from opaque hyaloid with centripetal tractional retinal detachments. Outcomes included postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, retinal reattachment rate, redetachments, and complications.

RESULTS

Average age was 58 years (range 43-74) and the average follow-up time was 43.6 months (range 36-64). Preoperative best-corrected visual acuity ranged from 1.0 to 2.3 logMAR (20/200 - Hand Motion) with a mean of 1.39 logMAR (20/500). Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity at last follow-up ranged from 0.2 to 1.0 logMAR (20/30-20/200) with a mean of 0.49 logMAR (20/60) ( P < 0.001). All eyes had attached posterior poles at last follow-up. Complications were observed in two eyes and included nonclearing hemorrhage and capsular opacity.

CONCLUSION

Vitrectomy with minimal, relaxing membranectomies is an option for monocular patients in whom intervention is needed, but are at high risk for complications.

Functional and structural outcomes and complications after pars plana vitrectomy for severe features of proliferative diabetic retinopathy in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

To evaluate the functional and structural outcomes as well as postoperative complications after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for severe features of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients.

METHODS

Twenty two eyes of type 1 diabetics (DM1 group) and 27 eyes of type 2 diabetics (DM2 group) were included. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), postoperative structural changes in optical coherence tomography (OCT) and postoperative complications such as recurrent vitreous haemorrhage, diabetic macular oedema, secondary glaucoma and persistent tractional retinal detachment (TRD) were assessed and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Complete reattachment of retina was achieved in 88.9% from the DM1 group and in 95.5% from the DM2 group and remained attached in follow-up. BCVA in DM2 group was significantly lower preoperatively (p = 0.04). Mean postoperative BCVA significantly improved in both studied groups, but it was more evident in eyes of type 2 diabetics compared to type 1 diabetics. In eyes in the DM1 group there was perceptible stabilisation of BCVA. Poor visual acuity or lack of improvement in BCVA in the DM1 group was related to preoperative subretinal haemorrhage in macular region, and TRD involving macula, whereas in the DM2 group-to preoperative subretinal haemorrhage and neovascular glaucoma. The postoperative structural changes (disruption of EZ and ELM) were observed more often in DM2 group, but had the greatest impact on BCVA in eyes of type 1 DM. Complications after PPV for PDR were rare and hadn't a significant influence on the final functional outcomes in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Functional improvement after PPV for severe features of proliferative diabetic retinopathy were more noticeable in patients with type 2 DM. Postoperative structural changes had more negative impact on BCVA in type 1 diabetics.

Clinical Outcomes of 27-Gauge Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Diabetic Tractional Retinal Detachment Repair

Purpose: To analyze the clinical outcomes of 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) repair of diabetic tractional retinal detachment (TRD) of various severities. Methods: This retrospective case series examined the outcomes of 27-gauge PPV to repair diabetic TRD from 2016 to 2020. The effect of medical and ophthalmologic history parameters and baseline detachment characteristics on visual acuity (VA) and retinal reattachment was analyzed. A grading system was established to stage the severity of the baseline vitreoretinal traction or detachment and compare the visual and anatomic outcomes between stages. Results: The study comprised 79 eyes (79 patients). The overall redetachment rate was 10.1% (8/79). The proportion of eyes with severe visual impairment (worse than 20/200) decreased from 81.0% (64/79) preoperatively to 56.9% (37/65) 6 months postoperatively (P < .001). Worse preoperative logMAR VA was associated with greater odds of redetachment (P = .017) and worse postoperative VA (P < .001). Insulin dependence was associated with better VA at 6 months (P = .017). A shorter known duration of diabetes (P = .026) and evidence of neovascularization of the iris (NVI) or angle (P = .004) were associated with worse visual outcomes. Eyes with detachment involving the posterior pole extending beyond the equator had worse VA at 6 months (P = .048). Conclusions: The primary reattachment rate after 27-gauge PPV was 89.9%. There was significant VA improvement, with a roughly 40% reduction in the number of eyes with severe visual impairment by the final follow-up. Insulin dependence, duration of diabetes, presence of NVI before surgery, and baseline posterior pole detachment extending beyond the equator were predictors of visual outcomes.

Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes of Complications of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy in Young versus Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

PURPOSE

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is a leading vision-threatening disease. In this study, we investigated the clinical features of PDR and the surgical outcomes of its complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical data of patients with T2D who underwent vitrectomy for PDR between January 2016 and June 2021. The patients were divided into two groups by age (young patients, < 45 years; older patients, ≥ 45 years).

RESULTS

There were 149 eyes (100 patients) in the young patient group and 315 eyes (256 patients) in the older patient group. The proportion of males and the proportion of patients requiring binocular surgery were much higher in the young patient group than in the older patient group (P = 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively). In the young patient group, 26.2% of eyes had active fibrovascular proliferation compared with only 11.4% in the older patient group (P < 0.001). The final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was significantly improved relative to the preoperative BCVA in both groups (P < 0.001). After surgery, there were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative neovascular glaucoma (NVG) or recurrent vitreous hemorrhage (VH) between the two groups. The incidence of postoperative recurrent retinal detachment was higher in the young patient group (P = 0.033). The risk factors associated with the visual outcomes in the young patient group included preoperative BCVA (P < 0.001), renal diseases (P = 0.001), postoperative NVG (P < 0.001), and recurrent VH (P = 0.028).

CONCLUSION

In this retrospective study, young patients who underwent vitrectomy for PDR had more severe clinical characteristics before vitrectomy. However, vitrectomy (combined with cataract surgery when necessary) achieved better final visual outcomes in young patients than in older patients with T2D.

Comparison of Retinal Changes Following Silicone Oil and Perfluoropropane Gas Tamponade for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Patients

Purpose: To investigate the different tamponade effects of intravitreal silicone oil (SO) and perfluoropropane gas on the retinal structure and vasculature in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients.

Methods: Thirty-eight eligible patients (47 eyes) with PDR requiring pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) were enrolled in the prospective observational study. Subjects were divided into two groups after PPV: SO group subjects underwent SO tamponade, whereas Gas group subjects underwent perfluoropropane gas tamponade. The primary outcomes of this study were longitudinal changes in retinal structure and vasculature between 10 and 90 days after the operation. Secondary outcomes were longitudinal changes in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness between 10 and 90 days after the operation in each sector.

Results: Thirty-six eyes of 27 patients with a median age of 56.6 ± 9.8 years completed follow-up and were statistically analyzed. No significant difference in demographics or clinical characteristics was found between the two groups. Eyes in the SO group had a statistically significant decrease in pRNFL thickness at 90 days after PPV (p < 0.001), and there was a significant intergroup difference compared with the Gas group (p = 0.001), except for the temporal sector. Eyes in the Gas group had a statistically significant increase in parafoveal vessel density (VD) of the superficial vascular complex (SVC) at 90 days after PPV (p = 0.023), although there was no significant intergroup difference. The type of tamponade, changes in full retina thickness, and parafoveal SVC VD showed a significant correlation with changes in pRNFL thickness (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion: SO tamponade resulted in a significantly greater decrease in pRNFL over 90 days than gas tamponade in patients with PDR. In addition, the change in the pRNFL was significantly correlated with changes in full retina thickness and SVC VD after the operation.

Clinical features and surgical outcomes of complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy in young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus versus type 2 diabetes mellitus - A comparative observational study

Purpose:

To evaluate the clinical profile, visual outcomes, and complications among young adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent DM-T1DM) in comparison with patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) undergoing vitrectomy for complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Methods:

A retrospective review of patients between 18 and 45 years with T1DM undergoing vitrectomy for complications of PDR between June 2017 and June 2019, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Consecutive patients between 30 and 45 years with type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent DM-T2DM) who underwent vitrectomy for the same indications were retrospectively enrolled as the control group.

Results:

There were 42 eyes (28 patients) in the T1DM group and 58 eyes (47 patients) in the T2DM group. The average age at operation was 35.9 ± 6.88 years and 39.8 ± 3.03 years, respectively (P < 0.001). At the end of follow-up, the mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 1.53 ± 0.55 to 1.30 ± 0.93 (P value 0.07) in the T1DM group and from 1.59 ± 0.46 to 1.00 ± 0.78 in the T2DM group (P = 0.0001). The rate of the primary and final reattachment was 76.2% and 88.1% in the T1DM group and 84.5% and 96.6% in the T2DM group. Preoperative macular tractional retinal detachment (MTRD) and neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in both the groups, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and lack of preoperative Pan retinal photocoagulation (PRP) in the T1DM group, hypertension (HTN) and, resurgery in the T2DM group, were risk factors for poor vision at the final follow-up.

Conclusion:

The visual and anatomic outcomes were poorer in the T1DM patients which could be due to the longer duration of diabetes with worse glycemic control, associated comorbidities like CKD, and a higher incidence of MTRD.

Intraoperative optical coherence tomography and proportional reflux hydrodissection-guided pars plana vitrectomy for complex severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy

The study describes the technique of combining microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography (mi-OCT) and proportional reflux hydrodissection (PRH) during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in eyes with complex proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) including tractional retinal detachment (TRD), combined retinal detachment (CRD), and taut posterior hyaloid membrane (TPHM). In this technique, PRH is used to create tissue planes between fibrovascular adhesions in areas identified using mi-OCT for insinuating the vitrector, enabling tissue dissection and release of traction. About 46 patients were operated using this technique. 34 eyes had TRD, 9 eyes had CRD, and 3 eyes were diagnosed with TPHM. A second instrument was used only in nine eyes. None of the eyes required use of intraocular scissors. Iatrogenic breaks occurred in six eyes. All patients had successful reattachment at 3-month follow-up. Thus, combination of mi-OCT and PRH is useful incomplete fibrovascular tissue dissection during PPV for complex PDR cases.

Recurrent retinal detachment after diabetic vitrectomy

PURPOSE

To investigate the characteristics of recurrent retinal detachment (RD) after diabetic vitrectomy (DV).

METHODS

Consecutive cases underwent vitrectomy for recurrent RD after DV was collected and separated into the following four groups for analysis: rhegmatogenous RD (RRD), pure tractional RD (Proliferative Subgroup 1), combined RD with proliferative tissue within the equator (Proliferative Subgroup 2), and combined RD with both posterior and peripheral proliferations (Proliferative Subgroup 3).

RESULTS

Of the 41 cases enrolled, retinal reattachment was achieved in 73.2%. Over all, visual acuity was statistically better after operation (p = 0.001). All cases in the RRD group (four cases) had reattachment and a better final vision (p = 0.008). In the proliferative subgroups, those with pure tractional RD (Subgroup 1, seven cases) had the best visual acuity at the time of recurrent RD (p = 0.002). Subgroups 2 and 3 showed statistically significant better final visual acuity (p = 0.045 and 0.019, respectively). Poor preoperative vision (p = 0.001), non-attachment (p = 0.004), and neovascular glaucoma (p = 0.001) were associated with poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Visual acuity may improve after operation for recurrent RD after diabetic vitrectomy. Visual prognosis was better in cases with pure RRD. In the proliferative subgroups, vision was impaired by the development of neovascular glaucoma and retinal non-attachment.

TRActional DIabetic reTInal detachment surgery with co-adjuvant intravitreal dexamethasONe implant: the TRADITION STUDY

AIM

Main failure of diabetic tractional retinal detachment (TRD) surgery is the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), causing higher re-detachment rates. We investigated whether the use of dexamethasone (DEX) implant at the end of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicone oil tamponade might have an impact on these outcomes.

DESIGN

Comparative, nonrandomized, retrospective study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 148 eyes from 148 patients that underwent PPV with silicone oil tamponade for diabetic TRD (with DEX implant, n = 52; without DEX implant, n = 96).

METHODS

Consecutive patients' records were reviewed for time between TRD diagnosis and surgery; lens status before surgery and after 6, 12, and 24 months; retina attachment rate after primary PPV; change in postoperative PVR severity; rate of re-detachment at 6, 12, and 24 months; use of IOP lowering treatment after 6, 12, and 24 months; surgery details; intra- and postoperative complications. Correlations between outcome measures, postoperative PVR severity, and re-detachment rates were analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Change in postoperative PVR severity and retinal re-detachment rates with and without the adjuvant use of DEX implant.

RESULTS

Retinal re-detachment rates were significantly higher in the group of patients that did not receive DEX implant [11/96 (11.5%) vs. 0/52 (0%), p = 0.049; 11/84 (12.9%) vs. 4/52 (7.7%), p = 0.007; 14/71 (19.7%) vs. 5/52 (10%) p < 0.001 at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively]. PVR severity correlated with retinal status at 12 and 24 months (p = 0.018 and p = 0.027, respectively). The difference in PVR severity between the two groups was statistically significant at 6, 12, and 24 months (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

DEX implant at the end of PPV in patients with diabetic TRD improves PVR severity and decreases re-detachment rates. This should be considered as an option in the customized treatment of TRD.

Outcomes of vitrectomy for diabetic tractional retinal detachment in Chicago's county health system

PURPOSE

To examine outcomes of 23-gauge (23G) pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for complex diabetic tractional retinal detachment (TRD) in Chicago's Cook County Health and Hospitals System (CCHHS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective noncomparative study of diabetic TRD cases that underwent PPV at CCHHS. Primary retinal reattachment rate, visual function, and postoperative complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

Sixty nine consecutive cases were included. Primary reattachment and final attachment were achieved in 68/69 eyes (98.6%). Secondary retinal detachment was noted in 1 eye (1.4%). Vitreous hemorrhage requiring repeat PPV developed in 5 eyes (7.2%) and reoperation due to other complications was required in 4/69 eyes (5.8%). Perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas tamponade was used in 91.3% of eyes and silicone oil in 8.7% of eyes. Mean LogMAR visual acuity significantly improved from 1.84 ± 0.61 to 0.93 ± 0.66, (P<0.0001). Vision was stabilized or improved in 66 eyes (95.7%). Visual acuity of 20/200 or better was achieved in 49/69 eyes (71.0%) and 20/50 or better in 16/69 eyes (23.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Even in patients with severe and advanced diabetic TRD pathology and unique demographics as seen in CCHHS, modern vitrectomy techniques can provide excellent anatomical and visual outcomes.

Surgical management of diabetic tractional retinal detachments

Tractional retinal detachment is an end-stage form of diabetic retinopathy that occurs when contractile forces in the vitreous and neovascular tissue lead to the detachment of the neurosensory retina. We review the literature related to the management of this disease. Preoperative planning includes appropriate patient selection, diagnostic and prognostic imaging, and medical optimization with reduction of systemic risk factors. Use of antivascular endothelial growth factor for preoperative treatment has had significant benefits for tractional retinal detachment repair in improving surgical efficiency and outcomes. Advances in microsurgical instrumentation are discussed, with attention to small-gauge vitrectomy with improved flow dynamics, viewing strategies, and lighting allowing bimanual surgery. Special emphasis is placed on bimanual surgical technique, choice of tamponade, and the avoidance of iatrogenic damage. Complications and special considerations are further explored. Based on our compilation of relevant literature, we propose a surgical algorithm for the management of these complex patients.