Efficacy of higher cutting rates during microincision vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of 25-G vitrectomy using a vitreous cutter with a higher cutting rate to that of conventional 25-G vitrectomy with a lower cutting rate on eyes with severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Methods: The medical records of 393 eyes of 326 patients with severe PDR were reviewed. A higher cutting rate dual-pneumatic 25-G vitrectomy probe (5,000 cuts/min, Constellation) was used on 219 eyes (group C) and a conventional 25-G pneumatic vitrectomy probe with lower cutting rate was used on 174 eyes (2,500 or 1,500 cuts/min, Acurrus) (group A). The visual and anatomical outcomes and the incidences of intraoperative and postoperative complications were compared.

Results: The incidence of combined cataract surgery was significantly higher in group C (p<0.001). The number of eyes in which scissors were used was significantly lower in group C (p<0.001), and the use of perfluorocarbon liquid was higher in group C (p = 0.015). The incidence of intraoperative iatrogenic tears, postoperative retinal detachments, and neovascular glaucoma was not significantly different between the 2 groups, but the incidence of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage was significantly lower in group C eyes (p<0.001). Preoperative and postoperative vision were not significantly different between the 2 groups.

Conclusions: The higher vitreous cutting rates during 25-G vitrectomy make it easier to dissect fibrovascular membranes with only the vitreous cutter, and achieved equivalent anatomical and visual outcomes after 25-G vitrectomy for PDR.