Fashioned 25G Cannula for Injection of Heavy Liquid during 23G Vitrectomy for Primary Simple Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Abstract

Purpose:  To evaluate ease of fashioning of 25G cannula, safety and efficacy of injection of heavy liquid using this fashioned cannula during Vitrectomy for simple Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment. Methods: This is a prospective non-comparative case series including 28 cases of simple Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment (without PVR, with PVR A, B, and C1). A 25G cannula was fashioned by unbending of a 25G Healon cannula. This cannula was applied on the nozzle of a 5 cc syringe filled with perfluorocarbon liquid, and then the heavy liquid was injected inside the vitreous cavity to reattach a detached retina. The outcome measures were: ease of fashioning of the cannula (no cutting off of the shaft), ease of injection (no resistance), need to replace by a back flush needle, iatrogenic retinal breaks / hemorrhage, retinal reattachment.  Results: The cannula was fashioned easily without cutting off of the shaft in all cases (100%). There was no resistance or interruption of the stream of heavy liquid through the cannula during injection in all cases, and thus no need to replace by an industrialized back flush needle in any case (100%). No iatrogenic retinal breaks or hemorrhages in any case. Complete intraoperative retinal reattachment in all cases (100%).  Conclusion: Fashioned 25G cannula is safe and effective for injection of heavy liquids for reattachment of the retina during Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment. However, further studies are required to evaluate suction function using this fashioned cannula.