Histological changes in the healing process of sclerotomy sites after 20-gauge and transconjunctival 23- and 25-gauge incisions in experimental model

Aim: To evaluate the healing mechanism and histological changes of the 20-gauge standard, and 23- and 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) incisions in rabbits.Materials and methods: Twelve of 16 albino rabbits’ right eyes underwent sclerotomy of either 20-gauge standard, or 23-gauge or 25-gauge TSV incisions. Four rabbits were tested as controls. The study eyes were examined clinically on the first postoperative day and in 3-day periods for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, rabbits were euthanized; globes were enucleated and underwent histological examination. The sclerotomy sites were investigated histopathologically under light microscope for wound healing semicantitatively.Results: Pathological sections were examined to monitor the healing course of the sclerotomy sites. Edema, mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration, fibroplasia, foreign body reaction, neovascularization, and reactive-regenerative changes on ciliary body were evaluated and scored. Fibroplasia and reactive-regenerative changes on ciliary body were statistically significant in eyes treated with 20-gauge standard sclerotomy (P 0.05). For foreign body reaction results, there was no statistically significant difference between all groups (P 0.05).Conclusion: Conventional 20-gauge sclerotomies required conjunctival peritomy and suturing. Transconjunctival 23-gauge and 25-gauge sclerotomy incision procedures without sutures and peritomy decrease overall surgical time, avoid the local inflammatory reaction to the suture materials, decrease postoperative inflammation, and support rapid healing recovery.