Suprachoroidal hemorrhage caused by breakage of a 25-gauge cannula

Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging. 2008 Jul-Aug;39(4):323-4. doi: 10.3928/15428877-20080701-02.

Abstract

A 72-year-old woman had vitreous surgery for epiretinal membrane using the 25-gauge vitrectomy system. During the removal of the cannula at the end of the surgery, half of its tip was noted to be missing. The following day, a severe choroidal detachment associated with a hypotony was found. A second surgery was performed, including drainage of suprachoroidal hemorrhage and choroidal fluid and the removal of the tip of the 25-gauge cannula stuck inside the sclerotomy. The retained cannula tip might have acted as a channel allowing vitreous fluid into the suprachoroidal space, resulting in choroidal detachment, hemorrhage, and hypotony.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Catheterization / adverse effects*
  • Choroid Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging
  • Choroid Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Choroid Hemorrhage / surgery
  • Drainage / methods
  • Epiretinal Membrane / surgery
  • Equipment Failure
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Complications*
  • Lens Implantation, Intraocular
  • Microsurgery / instrumentation
  • Phacoemulsification
  • Reoperation
  • Ultrasonography
  • Visual Acuity
  • Vitrectomy / instrumentation*