Different preferences between United States and European vitreoretinal surgeons: personal observations

Anesthesia Techniques for Vitreoretinal Surgery in the United States: A Report from the Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group Research Consortium

PURPOSE

To explore the patterns of anesthesia use and their determinants during vitreoretinal (VR) surgeries in academic and community hospitals across the US, using data from the Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group (MPOG).

DESIGN

A retrospective, multicenter, cohort study.

METHODS

We queried the MPOG database of 107,066 patients undergoing VR surgeries. Patients (≥18 years) undergoing VR surgery with monitored anesthesia care (MAC) or general anesthesia (GA) from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2021 were included. Patient-level, case-based, and institutional-level covariates were collected. We performed multivariable mixed-effects models to determine predictors of anesthesia type use. The primary outcome was the type of anesthesia (MAC or GA) used during VR surgeries. As a secondary outcome, MAC cases were further classified based on the additional use of sedation into MAC with or without sedation.

RESULTS

We found that 67.45% of VR surgery cases received MAC, and 73.63% of institutions administered MAC to more than half of cases. Random effect modeling revealed that 47.76% of the variation in MAC use was attributed to institutions. A trend toward increased use of MAC with increasing age was observed. Patients diagnosed with chronic pulmonary disease, liver disease, or a history of drug abuse were less likely to receive MAC. Conversely, we found that patients with reported alcohol abuse disorder, diabetes with complications, and those with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of 4 (vs. 1, 2, or 3) were more likely to use MAC. Compared to non-complex VR surgeries, there was a notably decreased likelihood of MAC use in complex PPV (P = .004), PPV + scleral buckle (SB) for retinal detachment (P < .0001), and primary SB surgery (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 2/3 of VR anesthesia is under MAC, but GA is still preferred for SBs, complex vitrectomy, and younger patients. We show that large interinstitutional variation for using MAC in practice exists.

Indications and Outcomes of Intraocular Lens Explantation in a Tertiary Eyecare Center in Hungary between 2006 and 2020

Purpose

Our study aimed to evaluate the indications and outcomes of intraocular lens (IOL) explantation surgeries in a tertiary eyecare center in Hungary.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study included all IOL explantation surgeries performed between 2006 and 2020 at the Department of Ophthalmology of Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. There were no exclusion criteria for this study. For each patient, the demographics, clinical history, preoperative status, indications for IOL explantation, and operative and postoperative details were reviewed. Primary outcomes included explantation indications and the type of secondary implanted IOL.

Results

A total of 161 eyes from 153 patients were included (96 males; 62.7%); age at the time of the IOL explantation was 65.0 ± 17.4 years. The mean time between primary cataract surgery and IOL explantation was 8.5 ± 7.7 years. In total, 139 (86.3%) PCIOLs and 22 (13.7%) ACIOLs were explanted. The main indications for IOL explantation were dislocation (n = 133; 95.7%) and refractive cause (n = 2; 1.4%) in the PCIOL group. Among ACIOL explantations, the main reasons were pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (n = 14; 63.6%), dislocation (n = 4; 18.2%), and refractive cause (n = 2; 9.1%). In the PCIOL group, 115 (82.7%) primary IOLs were implanted in the capsular bag, 16 (11.5%) were sulcus fixated, and 8 (5.8%) were scleral fixated. The most frequent ocular comorbidities were previous vitrectomy (n = 50, 31.1%), previous ocular trauma (n = 45, 28.0%), glaucoma (n = 16, 9.9%), pseudoexfoliation syndrome (n = 15, 9.3%), and high axial myopia (n = 14, 8.7%). The most commonly used secondary IOL implant was the prepupillary iris-claw IOL (n = 115, 73.7%), followed by the retropupillary iris-claw IOL (n = 32, 20.5%). Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was significantly better following IOL exchange in the entire sample (1.57 ± 0.61 (range: 2.40-0.05) vs. 0.77 ± 0.56 (range: 2.40-0.00); p < 0.001). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was maintained or improved in 80.7% of cases after IOL explantation.

Conclusions

The most common indication for IOL explantation at a tertiary eyecare center in Hungary is IOL dislocation, followed by pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. Prepupillary and retropupillary iris-claw IOL are the most frequently used secondary implants and their use resulted in a significant UCVA improvement following IOL exchange.

A Useful Method for the Practice of Pneumatic Retinopexy: Slit-Lamp Laser Photocoagulation through the Gas Bubble

This study aimed to demonstrate the laser retinopexy method through the gas bubble under a slit-lamp biomicroscope using a wide-field contact lens to treat rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with pneumatic retinopexy (PR) and report its anatomical and functional results. This single-center, retrospective case series included RRD patients treated with PR using sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆). The demographics, preoperative factors, and anatomical and functional outcomes were collected from the patient files. The single-procedure success rate of PR at postoperative 6th months was 70.8% (17/24 eyes), and the final success rate after secondary surgeries was 100%. The BCVA was better in the successful PR eyes at postoperative 3rd (p = 0.011) and 6th month (p = 0.016) than in failed eyes. No single preoperative factor was associated with PR success. The single-procedure success rate of PR using the laser retinopexy method through the gas bubble with a wide-field contact lens system seems comparable to the PR literature.

Intravitreal Injections during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Northern Italy: An Innovative Approach for a High Quality and Safe Treatment

BACKGROUND

Intravitreal injection (IVI) is a standard procedure performed in ophthalmology to treat several conditions, and is performed in different settings across countries. The Italian guidelines recommend this intervention is performed in an operating room to minimize the risk of infections, while in other countries, including Canada, USA and the UK, IVIs are performed in the ophthalmologist's office. The 2020 COVID-19 outbreak caused a dramatic modification in outpatient care. Consequently, non-urgent surgical activities, like IVIs, were subjected to a drastic reduction.

METHODS

We conducted observational study which investigated the outcomes of IVIs performed in an ophthalmologist's office using a mobile laminar flow unit, the Operio mobile (Toul Meditech, Operio®) versus an operating room setting.

RESULTS

Use of the Operio mobile allowed the safety performance of 3838 IVIs during COVID-19 and significantly reduced the waiting time of the first visit. This results in a faster intervention without affecting the technical IVI procedure that remained unchanged comparing the two settings. Specifically, we observed a 26% reduction in operation costs for each IVI performed in the office, which can be translated to a higher impact when considering the total number of IVIs performed over one year.

CONCLUSION

The use of the Operio mobile in an ophthalmologist's office provides flexibility to perform IVIs, assuring patient safety, reducing healthcare personnel employment times, and the waiting lists for the patients, increasing the number of surgeries and improving the cost-effectiveness of the procedure.

Anatomical outcome of retinal detachment surgery comparing different surgical approach

PURPOSE

To describe the outcome of retinal detachment surgery in a population affected by rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in southern Sweden 2011-2013.

METHOD

All primary retinal detachments that underwent surgery at the Skåne University Hospital were registered during the period of 2011-2013. Age, sex, lens status and the different surgical methods including type of tamponade were recorded. For outcome assessment, no reoperation within 6 months was considered as primary success with one surgery except silicone oil removal.

RESULTS

In total, 918 primary retinal detachments were recorded during the 3-year period. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) alone was used in 618 eyes (67.3%), whereas an external approach with scleral buckling (SB) was used in 184 cases (20.0%) and a combination of PPV + SB in 116 eyes (12.6%). Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in combination with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation was performed in 169 eyes (18.4%), which was 43.6% of the phakic eyes having a PPV procedure. A total of 346 eyes (37.7%) were pseudophakic preoperatively. The success rate of one surgery was 86.9% for the entire cohort. In 120 eyes (13.1%), there was a re-detachment during the 6-month follow-up time. Higher age at the primary surgery turned out to be correlated to an increased risk of primary failure (p = 0.018) but gender was not (p = 0.84). Preoperative lens status did not affect the risk of re-detachment (p = 0.36), and there were no differences in outcome between surgeons (p = 0.27). No surgical procedure - alone or in combination - showed superior outcome as primary surgical approach.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no significant differences in anatomical outcome between the various surgical procedures in this large cohort of 918 RRD cases.

PHACOVITRECTOMY VERSUS LENS-SPARING VITRECTOMY FOR RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR ACCORDING TO THE SURGICAL EXPERIENCE

PURPOSE

To compare the efficacy and safety between lens-sparing vitrectomy and phacovitrectomy for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treatment according to surgical experience.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 193 patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment who underwent either lens-sparing vitrectomy (n = 111) or phacovitrectomy (n = 82). Patients were operated by two experienced surgeons or eight vitreoretinal fellows and had a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Anatomical success rate, postoperative complications, and functional outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

Primary anatomical success rate was 92.8% (103/111) for lens-sparing vitrectomy and 91.5% (75/82) for phacovitrectomy (P = 0.733). The fellows had lower success rate after phacovitrectomy compared with the experts, but not statistically significant (85% [34/40] vs. 97.6% [41/42], P = 0.054). During phacovitrectomy, one zonulysis case in the experts group and four posterior capsular rupture cases in the fellows group were noted. Cystoid macular edema was found only after phacovitrectomy (12.2% [10/82]), and epiretinal membrane occurred more after phacovitrectomy than after lens-sparing vitrectomy (28% [23/82] vs. 8.1% [9/111], P < 0.001). There was no difference in the occurrence of cystoid macular edema and epiretinal membrane after phacovitrectomy between two surgeon groups (P = 0.514, 0.701, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Combined phacoemulsification and vitrectomy has no additional benefit in improving the surgical outcome of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment management. Considering the intraoperative and postoperative complications and the relatively low success rate, phacovitrectomy may not be a desirable option in inexperienced surgeons.

Intraocular lens explantation in Spain: indications and outcomes at a tertiary referral center from 2010 to 2018

PURPOSE

To evaluate the causes of IOL explantation, techniques for secondary IOL implantation, visual outcomes and complications.

METHODS

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña, Spain.

DESIGN

Retrospective study. All explanted IOLs from January 2010 to June 2018 were included. Medical records were reviewed to determine the surgical indication for IOL explantation, type of IOL implanted, time between surgeries, visual outcomes and surgical complications.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-one IOLs were explanted (134 patients). Mean time from original surgery to IOL explantation was 7.89 ± 5.81 years. Causes of IOL explantation were IOL dislocation (81.56%)-in-the-bag IOL dislocation (71.63%), out-of-the-bag IOL dislocation (9.9%)-corneal decompensation (12.05%), refractive surprise (3.5%), uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema syndrome (1.4%), IOL opacification (1.4%). Procedures for secondary IOL implantation were retropupillar iris-claw IOL (63.8%), flanged scleral fixated IOL (9.2%), three-piece IOL in ciliary sulcus (8.5%), angle-supported anterior chamber IOL (7.1%), in-the-bag IOL (3.5%), scleral fixated IOL with sutures (0.7%). Ten cases (7.1%) were left aphakic. Mean preoperative and postoperative logMAR CDVA were 1.34 ± 0.87 and 0.63 ± 0.69, respectively (p = 0.000). Mean preoperative IOP and postoperative IOP were 16.78 ± 4.49 and 15.53 ± 3.476 mmHg, respectively (p = 0.005). Complications include cystoid macular edema (7.8%), glaucoma (7.1%), IOL luxation (2.1%), retinal detachment (1.4%), trophic ulcer and leucoma (1.4%), corneal decompensation (1.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

In-the-bag IOL dislocation was the most frequent indication for IOL explantation, followed by pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. Simultaneous IOL exchange for a retropupillar iris-claw IOL was the most frequent procedure for secondary IOL implantation. Mean CDVA improved significantly and IOP decreased significantly after IOL explantation. The most frequent postoperative complication was cystoid macular edema.

A comparative study of lens management in the United Kingdom and India with regard to rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery

INTRODUCTION

Lens management in phakic patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachments undergoing para plana vitrectomy surgery remains controversial among vitreoretinal surgeons. When combined phacovitrectomy is performed, the biometry decisions can be challenging both in the face of macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachments and previous refractive surgery. This study analyses current trends in practise.

METHODS

A scenario-related survey was sent to all members of the British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons and to vitreoretinal surgeons in the northern Indian state of Punjab.

RESULTS

In post-laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis patients with a visually significant cataract and a macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, the majority of British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons members (67.3%) and surgeons in Punjab (91.4%) would perform a stand-alone para plana vitrectomy and defer cataract surgery. When a combined phacovitrectomy is performed in this scenario, the majority of British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons (68%) would implant an intraocular lens (using either Haigis-L or European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons/American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons calculators), whereas the majority of Punjab surgeons (79.3%) would leave the patient aphakic. In a patient with a cataract and macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment undergoing combined phacovitrectomy surgery, without any previous refractive surgery, the majority of British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons members (47.3%) would use the opposite eye biometry, whereas most Punjab surgeons (62.7%) would leave the patient aphakic.

DISCUSSION

Vitreoretinal surgeons in both the United Kingdom and Punjab predominantly avoid combined surgery in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment cases, even when faced with a visually significant cataract. When combined phacovitrectomy is performed, most vitreoretinal surgeons preference using the opposite eye biometry for macula-off cases and Haigis-L (myope) or online calculators for post-laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis cases.

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.

Repair of primary RRD - comparing pars plana vitrectomy procedure with combined phacovitrectomy with standard foldable intraocular lens implantation

Background

Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with phacoemulsification and primary intraocular lens implantation can be performed for the repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD; PHACOVIT group). The safety and efficacy of this combined ophthalmic procedure on RRD surgery outcomes remain unclear compared with more conventional PPV technique alone (VITRET group). We explored the need for reoperation after primary surgical procedure in these two groups.

Methods

Retrospective, longitudinal, register-based cohort of RRD patients was operated in University Eye Clinic, Helsinki, Finland, during 2008–2014. The main outcome measure was reoperation rate during a postoperative follow-up period of 1 year due to retinal re-detachment, vitreous rehemorrhage, postoperative endophthalmitis, secondary pucker, macular hole or other reasons.

Results

We analyzed 1,690 consecutive RRD cases, out of which 1,564 patients were treated in the PPV VITRET group and 126 patients in the PHACOVIT-operated group. Risk for reoperation was 2.67 times higher in the PHACOVIT group compared to the PPV VITRET group (95% CI 1.85–3.85).

Conclusion

The reoperation rate was higher in RRD eyes operated with combined cataract surgery plus PPV, suggesting that RRD eyes should not primarily undergo combined PHACOVIT surgery.