Postoperative complications after simultaneous vitrectomy and cataract surgery

OBJECTIVE: We reviewed postoperative complications after simultaneous vitre ctomy, phacoemulsification, aspiration, and acryl lens insertion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Combined surgery was performed. in 316 eyes of 279 pa tients between 1995 and 1997. Postoperative observation was continued in al l of them for more than 6 months. The diagnoses that led to vitrectomy incl uded diabetic retinopathy in 155 eyes, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in 64 eyes, macular hole in 43 eyes, and other diseases in 93 eyes. The rate of postoperative complications that needed any reoperation was investigated . RESULTS: Reoperations were needed for intravitreal hemorrhage in 23 eyes (7 .3%), retinal detachment in 15 eyes (4.7%), rubeotic glaucoma in 6 eyes (1. 9%), and other conditions in 4 eyes (1.3%). Among them, reoperations were p erformed on 13 eyes (4.1%) twice and more. A removal of an intraocular lens was needed in 16 eyes (5.1%) for treatment of vitreoretinal disease. In pa tients with diabetic retinopathy, reoperations were needed for intravitreal hemorrhage in 21 eyes (13.5%), rubeotic glaucoma in 6 eyes (3.9%), other d iseases in 4 eyes (2.6%), and a removal of an intraocular lens was needed i n 10 eyes (6.5%) at a higher rate than the other disease. CONCLUSION: This combined surgery is considered advantageous for removing p eripheral vitreous, while preventing these complications is important for p reserving visual function.