Sealing effect of external diathermy on leaking sclerotomies after small-gauge vitrectomy: a clinicopathological report.

Sealing Effect of External Diathermy on Leaking Sclerotomies After Small-Gauge Vitrectomy: A Clinicopathological Report Small-gaugevitrectomyhassurged inpopularity in recentyears and has become a widespread alternative to traditional techniques. Eighty-five percent of retinal surgeons now routinely use 25or 23-gauge systems for uncomplicated macular surgery compared with 22% in 2005.1 These small-gauge systems have advantages over largergauge systems, including shorter operative times, less tissue manipulation, decreased postoperative inflammation and pain, and quicker visual recovery.2 However, the sclerotomies are not routinely sutured in small-gauge vitrectomy, resulting in a unique set of potential postoperative complications, namely, wound leakage predisposing to postoperative hypotony, incomplete fill of tamponading agents, and possibly an increased risk of postoperative endophthalmitis. Applying external diathermyona leaking sclerotomy is effective in sealing the surgical wound.3,4 The purpose of this clinicopathological report is to evaluate localhistological andwoundarchitecturechanges in scleral wounds of varying sizes following the application of external diathermy.