Purpose: To compare the healing condition of sclerotomy sites after 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless sclerotomy and conventional 20-gauge vitrectomy in minipigs.
Methods: Four minipigs qualified for experiment were included in the study. One eye underwent sclerotomy with 25G trocar (25G group) and the other underwent 20G-PPV (20G group). The healing processes of sclerotomy sites were observed grossly and by Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining under light microscopy at 0, 10, 20 and 60 days after operation.
Results: Compared with 20G group, scleral incisions in 25G group were much smaller. One day after operation, conjunctival hyperemia in 20G group was more severe than that in 25G group. Sclerotomy sites in 25G group mostly healed 10 days after operation with a few inflammation cells. Sclerotomy sites in 20G group bad not healed 20 days after operation and were infiltrated by a great number of inflammation cells. One case in 25-gauge group and 2 cases in 20-gauge group had vitreous incarceration. Two cases in 25-gauge group and 4 cases in 20-gauge group had fibrous ingrowth.
Conclusion: Compared with 20-gauge vitrectomy, the smaller sclerotomy sites in 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless sclerotomy heal faster and have lighter inflammation reaction. Vitreous incarceration and proliferation ingrowth could be found in both surgeries.