Twenty-three-gauge pars plana approach versus limbal approach for removal of congenital cataracts

Purpose To compare the 23-G vitrectomy system via pars plana approach with the limbal approach for the management of congenital cataract in Egyptian infants attending Mansoura Ophthalmic Center, Delta, Egypt. Patients and methods A total of 30 eyes of 21 infants with congenital cataract who attended Mansoura Ophthalmic Center, Egypt, were included. They were sorted out into two groups; each included 15 eyes. Group I underwent pars plana approach and group II underwent anterior limbal approach for phacoaspiration, posterior capsulorhexis, and anterior vitrectomy. Postoperative examination and follow-up results were recorded. Results There was significant statistical increase in mean duration of surgery in group I (59.27 +/- 12.69) than group II (39.93 +/- 9.04), with P value less than or equal to 0.001. There was no significant statistical difference in intraocular pressure values at preoperative period, at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively in the studied groups .There was no significant statistical difference in the incidence of visual axis opacification, secondary glaucoma, anterior chamber reaction, capsular phimosis, and wound leak between the two groups. However, there was a significant statistical increase in the incidence of preretinal hemorrhage in group I (26.7%, n=4) when compared with group II (0%, n=0), with P value of 0.032. There was no significant statistical difference in the incidence of secondary glaucoma during a 6-month follow-up period. Conclusion Posterior approach and anterior approach can be used safely for infantile cataract, and the application of the technique depends on surgeon experience and skills.