Effect of a Surgical Assistant on Vitrectomy Outcomes for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment
10.21561/jor.2025.10.2.217
- Author:
Seongyong JEONG
;
Junsik JEON
;
Min SAGONG
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:
Journal of Retina
2025;10(2):217-224
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:To evaluate the surgical outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) according to the presence or absence of a surgical assistant.
Methods:A retrospective review of 79 eyes (79 patients) undergoing 25-gauge PPV for primary RRD between October 2023 and June 2024 was performed. Eyes were divided into Group A (with resident assistant, n = 40) and Group B (without assistant, n = 39). Primary and final anatomical success rates, operative time, peripheral shaving time, number and duration of intraoperative interruptions, and postoperative visual acuity were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for surgical failure.
Results:Primary anatomical success rates were comparable between groups (95.0% vs. 94.9%, p = 0.979), and final reattachment was achieved in all cases. Total operative time (56.7 ± 14.0 vs. 55.4 ± 11.8 minutes, p = 0.653) and peripheral shaving time (14.7 ± 5.0 vs. 14.8 ± 5.4 minutes, p = 0.919) were similar. However, intraoperative interruptions were more frequent (2.5 ± 1.0 vs. 1.9 ± 0.6, p = 0.009) and lasted longer (50.8 ± 19.9 vs. 40.0 ± 14.4 seconds, p < 0.001) in Group A. Postoperative mean logMAR best-corrected visual acuity at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months did not differ significantly between groups. Inferior retinal breaks and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (grade B or higher) were associated with primary failure in univariate analysis (p = 0.026 and p = 0.050) but not in multivariable analysis.
Conclusions:When modern techniques—including minimally invasive vitrectomy, noncontact wide-angle viewing systems, and chandelier illumination—are employed, the absence of a surgical assistant does not appear to significantly affect anatomical success or operative efficiency in primary RRD repair.
