Results of pars plana vitrectomy after complicated phacoemulsification surgery

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the causes and outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in patients undergoing phacoemulsification with intraoperative complication and to analyze whether the interval between phacoemulsification and PPV interferes with best-corrected final visual acuity. Methods: This descriptive and retrospective analytical study was conducted in Paraná Eye Hospital in 2013. Data were collected from medical records of 38 patients who underwent complicated phacoemulsification and also required PPV. Results: The most frequent complication as a result of phacoemulsification was posterior capsule rupture, observed in 35 patients (92.10%), followed by capsular bag detachment, in three patients (7.89%). Twenty-eight patients (73.68%) had cortical fragments that were removed during PPV. Twelve patients (31.57%) had their intraocular lens repositioned. PPV was performed on the same day of phacoemulsification in one patient (2.63%), within 1 week in 15 patients (39.47%), between 1 week and 1 month in 13 patients (34.21%), and 1 month after phacoemulsification in 9 patients (23.68%). Conclusion: This study is in agreement with worldwide literature, asserting that major complications of phacoemulsification are posterior capsule rupture and capsular bag detachment, and in addition, there is an improvement in the final visual acuity in almost half the cases, even when there are complications during modern cataract surgery, when complementary appropriate treatment is provided.