Transcorneal sutureless silicone oil removal using 23-gauge trocar system in aphakia.

PURPOSE:To describe transcorneal sutureless silicone oil removal using 23-gauge trocars as an alternative surgical technique in an aphakic eye. METHODS:We retrospectively evaluated the management of a 50-year-old male patient who had a history of bilateral congenital cataract removal at the age of 5 and developed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. A 3-port 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, removal of the vitreous up to the vitreous base, 60° temporal retinotomy, and anterior flap retinectomy were performed. Silicone oil (1,000 cSt) was selected as a tamponading agent. The patients underwent active silicone oil removal at subsequent surgery 2 months after the initial vitrectomy. RESULTS:The silicone oil was successfully extracted from the aphakic eye by using transcorneal 23-gauge trocars. No suture was needed at the corneal wound sites. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSION:Transcorneal silicone oil removal using 23-gauge trocars can be performed easily with today's modern vitreoretinal surgery systems as an alternative treatment modality.