AIM: To investigate the application of 23-gauge trans-conjunctival sutureless vitrectomy system in the treatment of vitreoretinopathy disease and evaluate its therapeutic effect and complications.

METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 46 patients(48 eyes)who were performed 23-gauge vitrectomy in this hospital from October 2011 to October 2013. Among all the eyes, idiopathic macular hole 8 appeared in eyes(16.7%), idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane presented in 5 eyes(10.4%), vitreous hemorrhage appeared in 19 eyes(39.6%); PDR(stage V-VI)occurred in 8 eyes(16.7%); and RRD 8 eyes(16.7%). Observation was made on intraocular pressure before and after surgery, surgical effects, surgical time, best corrected visual acuity, intraoperative and postoperative complications. The follow-up time lasted form 1-12mo.

RESULTS:All cases were successfully performed surgery and, there was no statistical difference in intraocular pressure between the two group(P>0.05)after measuring it pre-operatively, 1, 7d and 1mo after surgery at each group. The postoperative best corrected visual acuity were improved to some different degree. The differences between postoperative and preoperative BCVA were statistically significant(P<0.01). The surgery time was 70.12±7.86min; few complications appeared after surgery. The intraoperative complications included intubation tube slippage in 2 eyes, subconjunctival hemorrhage in 5 eyes and bubble under conjunctivain in 3 eyes. No serious post-operative complication was observed during the follow-up time in all cases.

CONCLUSION: 23-gauge trans-conjunctival sutureless vitrectomy has advantages including micro-invasive cut and short surgical time. Due to its quick postoperative recovery, good curative effect and rare complication, it is an effective and safe surgical technique in the management of vitreoretinopathy disease.