Evaluation of Two Different Anterior Vitrectomies for Fluid Misdirection Syndrome Secondary to Cataract Surgery Combined with Goniosynechialysis

Clinical significance of episcleral venous fluid wave in gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy

AIM

To evaluate the clinical significance of checking episcleral venous fluid wave (EVFW) during gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG).

METHODS

This retrospective case series study comprised 30 patients (45 eyes) with OAG underwent GATT. The location and extent of EVFW were examined and graded after intraoperative compression flushing of the anterior chamber angle during the operation. Patients were followed up for 1y. A complete success for surgery is defined as a postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) <18 mm Hg without any anti-glaucoma medication. IOP<18 mm Hg with less than two anti-glaucoma medications is defined as qualified success, while the control of IOP requiring three anti-glaucoma medications is considered as unsuccess.

RESULTS

The mean IOP was 35.38±7.16 mm Hg before surgery and 15.52±4.22 mm Hg 1y after surgery (P<0.01). The average number of anti-glaucoma medication was 2.8±1.2 (2-4) preoperation and 0.6±1.3 (0-3) 1y postoperation (P<0.01). The success rate of the operation was 93.33%. Complete success rate was 66.67%, qualified success rate was 26.67%, and 6.66% of unsuccessful cases required reoperation. EVFW of all cases was grade 2-4, and the percentages of grade 2, 3 and 4 were 33.33%, 40.0% and 26.67%, respectively. The distribution and percentage of EVFW were inferior (36%), nasal (28%), superior (20%), and temporal (16%). The EVFW grade of complete success patients was 3.4±0.6 (3-4), and that of qualified success patients was 2.6±1.0 (2-4). The larger the range of EVFW, the lower the IOP, and the better the IOP reduction effect.

CONCLUSION

During GATT surgery, pressurized irrigation of anterior chamber to check EVFW can reduce the outflow resistance of aqueous humor and increase the effect of postoperative IOP. The range of EVFW is negatively correlated with postoperative IOP. Therefore, EVFW may be a valuable prognostic indicator for the success of GATT surgery.

Three Cases of Intraoperative Acute Fluid Misdirection Syndrome during Cataract Surgery

Purpose: We report the management of three cases of intraoperative acute fluid misdirection syndrome during cataract surgery.Case summary: Cataract surgery was performed in one eye of an 82-year-old woman with pseudoexfoliation syndrome, one eye of an 80-year-old man with end-stage glaucoma, and both eyes of a 72-year-old man with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. In the first two cases, the capsular bag space decreased during cortex aspiration and after removal of the cortex, respectively. After intravenous mannitol and intake of oral acetazolamide, the intraocular lens was successfully inserted in the first two cases on the same day. In the third case, after first removing the nucleus and cortex of the right eye, the capsular bag space decreased and an intraocular lens was carefully inserted. No intraoperative complications were seen during the left eye operation. One month after the operation, the best-corrected visual acuity had improved and the intraocular pressure was within normal limits for all three cases.Conclusions: A relatively shallow chamber, pseudoexfoliation, zonular laxity, and use of high molecular weight ophthalmic viscosurgical devices may cause acute fluid misdirection syndrome during cataract surgery. Pars plana vitrectomy may be required. However, intravenous high osmotic agent treatment should be attempted first, followed by intraocular lens insertion on the same day.