Anatomical and Visual Outcome of Combined Phaco-Vitrectomy vs Vitrectomy Alone

Abstract

Introduction
 Separation of Neurosensory retina from RPE(Retinal Pigment Epithelium) is described as retinal detachment. Recently Pars plana vitrectomy has emerged as a preferred surgical treatment for management of uncomplicated primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Various studies have evaluated the results of combined phaco-vitrectomy, the combined approach allows faster visual recovery and has cost effectivity for patient. The rationale of this study is to compare the anatomical and visual outcome of combined phacoemulsification and vitrectomy vs vitrectomy alone
 Materials and methods
 This prospective randomized controlled trial was performed at Eye Unit II Mayo Hospital Lahore (tertiary care eye hospital in Lahore), Pakistan from August 2019 to February 2020. 36 patients full filling the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups 18 patients each. Group A was of combined Phaco-vitrectomy and Group B was of vitrectomy only. The Mann-whitney test as test of significance was applied and P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.
 Results
 BCVA done Pre-operatively for Group A and B, P-value was > 0.05 which was insignificant. Best corrected visual acuity at first week post operatively was significantly lower in patients in which we used gasses as internal tamponade as compared those in which we used silicon oil as tamponade. The BCVA at 1 month showed improvements in both groups, however the BCVA in group B was significantly lower than group A, P-value being < 0.05. The BCVA at 3 month showed improvements in both groups, however the BCVA in group B was significantly lower than group A, P-value being < 0.05.
 Anatomical Outcome was seen as weather retina was attached or detached. In Group A detachment was present in all follow-ups in 2/18 patients while in Group B detachment was present in all follow-ups in 3/18 patients. The P-value was >0.05 and thus the difference between two groups was insignificant.
 Conclusion
 visual acuity did not differ among the two groups preoperatively and on first follow-up at 1 week. The P value being >0.05 in both. However there was significant difference between the two group at 1 month and 3 months follow up, P value being < 0.05 in each. The visual acuity was significantly better in Group A i.e combined phaco- vitrectomy.
 For anatomical outcome no difference was seen between the groups. The P value was > 0.05. So the visual outcome of group A was significantly better than group B while the anatomical outcome was the same.
 
 Keywords
 Phacoemulsification, Three ports pars plana vitrectomy, best corrected visual acuity, retinal detachment.