Intrascleral hydration for 23-Gauge Pars Plana Vitrectomy Sclerotomy Closure

PURPOSE: To describe and evaluate the effectiveness of a new technique to close 23-gauge sclerotomies in transconjunctival pars plana vitrectomy.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, consecutive, interventional study of 90 eyes of 90 patients who underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with the introduction of the new sealing technique was conducted. The 23-gauge sclerotomies were hydrated with a 30-gauge needle inserted in the scleral stroma near the scleral opening.RESULTS: A total of 90 eyes of 90 patients were recruited in the study. The number of the eyes requiring suture for sclerotomy closure was 3.3% (3 of 90), and the sclerotomies requiring suture were 1.4% (4 of 270). Three eyes had hypotony on Day 1. No statistically significant difference was registered between preoperative intraocular pressure and postoperative intraocular pressure on Days 15 and 30. No leaking of endotamponade bubble filling was noticed on Day 1. No postoperative complications were registered during the follow-up period.CONCLUSION: The intrascleral stroma hydration is a simple and fast technique that does not require extra surgical materials.