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A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing 20 Gauge and 23 Gauge Vitrectomy for Patients with Macular Hole or Macular Pucker

P. Scholz, Philipp S. Müther, P. Schiller, Moritz Felsch, S. Fauser

Advances in Therapy, 2018

103 participants · 5 citations

Abstract

IntroductionTo compare the transconjunctival sutureless 23 gauge (G) pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with 20 G PPV regarding inflammation, safety, visual outcome and patient comfort.MethodsWe included 103 patients with symptomatic macular hole or macular pucker, scheduled for vitrectomy in this prospective, randomized, controlled, mono-center clinical trial. Patients were randomized 1:1 to either 20G PPV (n = 51) or 23G PPV (n = 52). All eyes underwent standard 20G or 23G PPV with membrane peeling. Primary outcome measure was change in aqueous humor flare 3 weeks after surgery compared with baseline. Secondary outcome measures were flare values 2 days and 26 weeks after surgery, subjective discomforts measured with a visual analog scale, best-corrected visual acuity, duration of surgery, intraocular pressure (IOP) and adverse events.ResultsThere was no significant difference in change of flare 3 weeks after PPV [− 1.7, 95% CI (− 6.3 to 2.9), p = 0.466]. Both groups showed a significant increase in flare 2 days after surgery (20G: p < 0.001, 23G: p = 0.002), but only the 20G group after 3 weeks (p = 0.011). The gain in visual acuity after 3 weeks was higher after 23G PPV (4.2 95% CI (0.4–8.0, p = 0.029), but without a difference after 6 months. The duration of surgery was shorter in the 23G group (p < 0.001). Patient comfort 3 weeks after surgery was greater after 23G PPV (foreign body sensation p = 0.002; itching: p = 0.021). However, the rate of complications did not differ…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 103 participants or records.

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