AIM: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of 23G and 20G vitreous cutting system in silicone oil extracting operation.

METHODS: A total of 98 cases(98 eyes)patients, after 3-6mo silicone oil filling with retinal attachment and suitable for retrieving silicone oil. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. 20G vitreous cutting system group including 48 cases(48 eyes)and 23G vitreous cutting system group including 50 cases(50 eyes). A series of comparative analyses were conducted on the times for set up and closing the passage and the time for taking the oil time on the two groups: intraocular pressure of preoperative and of postoperative for 1, 3d, 1wk, 3 and 6mo. The comparisons were also made between the best corrected visual acuity of preoperative and postoperative. The section inflammation of postoperative 1, 3d, 1mo were compared. Complications were compared between intraoperative and postoperative.

RESULTS: Establishing surgery channel for 20G and 23G group were(243.54±51.17)s and(91.16±21.37)s respectively; closing wound time were(235.04±42.89)s and(86.04±21.76)s. Extracting oil time were(6.7±1.65)min and(7.35±2.02)min. There was a significant difference(P<0.01)between establishing the operation channel time and close the incision time. There was no significant difference between two groups in the extracting oil time(P>0.05). The first day was statistically different(P<0.05)but the rest of the time point of intraocular pressure had no statistical difference(P>0.05). The best corrected visual acuity for 20G and 23G group preoperative and postoperative after 6mo were: 4.21±0.61, 3.91±0.64; 4.03±0.46 and 4.22±0.39 respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05). There was significant difference(P<0.05)of cells in the anterior chamber between the 20G group and 23G group of postoperative 1 and 3d. There was no statistical difference after 1mo(P>0.05). The findings also reported that 20G and 23G group had no intraoperative complications and postoperative. For 23G group, 5 cases of temporarily had lower intraocular pressure, 1 case was retinal again, 1 case was choroid detachment. For 20G group, 1 case of temporarily had lower intraocular pressure, 3 cases were retinal detachment and 2 cases were choroid detachment.

CONCLUSION:23G vitreous cutting system has the advantages of low operation steps, intraoperative injury. The postoperative complications of low probability, used in silicone oil is safe and effective.