Purpose: To compare functional and anatomical outcomes and complication rates between valved versus traditional nonvalved small-gauge cannula vitrectomy for retinal detachment repair.
Methods: Retrospective case series of 163 eyes undergoing small-gauge valved versus nonvalved vitrectomy with intraoperative perfluoro-n-octane for retinal detachment repair at a single academic institution.
Results: There were 104 eyes in the valved cannula group and 59 eyes in the nonvalved cannula group. The valved group had lower baseline Grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy (35 vs. 53%, P = 0.031) and combined rhegmatogenous retinal detachment/tractional retinal detachment (3 vs. 12%, P = 0.037), but both groups had otherwise comparable preoperative characteristics. Final postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 1.01 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Snellen 20/205) and 1.27 (Snellen 20/372) (P = 0.131) in valved and nonvalved cannula eyes, respectively. Single surgery success was equivalent between the valved and nonvalved groups (88 vs. 86%; P = 1.00). Final anatomical success was higher in the valved versus nonvalved group (98 vs. 90%; P = 0.027). Complication rates were not statistically different, including Postoperative Day 1 intraocular pressure, Postoperative Day 1 anterior chamber fibrin, retained subretinal/intraocular perfluoro-n-octane, and epiretinal membrane peeling.
Conclusion: Valved cannulas, with their improved fluidics, are an important addition to pars plana vitrectomy with similar functional and anatomical success without increased complication rates compared with traditional nonvalved cannulas.