A review of endophthalmitis following vitrectomy

Abstract

In the past decade there have been many changes in the field of vitreoretinal surgery. Transconjunctival sutureless systems have revolutionized some of the approaches to pars plana vitrectomy as the introduction of smallgauge trocar cannula systems allows entry into the vitreous cavity without dissecting conjunctiva and requires no suture to close routinely at the end of surgery. Smaller ports and sutureless surgery have a number of benefits for the patient and surgeon and hence have been widely adopted. However, there are some concerns that smaller gauge or sutureless vitrectomy surgery could increase the risk of endophthalmitis – a devastating infectious complication of intraocular surgery. The aim of this review is to present the changes that have occurred in vitreoretinal surgery in recent years and to summarize the evidence relating to endophthalmitis following vitrectomy.

Keywords::

• endophthalmitis
• epidemiology
• infection
• vitrectomy
• vitreoretinal surgery