J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2021 Jun;62(6):792-797. 10.3341/jkos.2021.62.6.792.

Prediction of the Expected Extent of Surgical Difficulty When Removing an Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane

• Kim J
• Lee JS
• Chin HS

• KMID: 2516806
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2021.62.6.792

Abstract

Purpose
We sought to predict how difficult surgical removal of an epiretinal membrane (ERM) might be by analyzing the preoperative characteristics of the ERM.
Methods
From 2016 to 2020, 75 patients diagnosed with idiopathic ERMs who underwent ERM removal were evaluated in terms of surgical time (via video analysis); associations between that time and preoperative color fundus photographs and optical coherence tomography findings were sought.
Results
The surgical time was associated with the vascular tortuosity grade, the ERM stage, and fibrillary changes (p = 0.024, p = 0.020, and p = 0.018). Dummy regression analysis showed that EMR stage 4, and vascular tortuosity grades of 2 or 3, increased the surgical time (p = 0.036, p = 0.049).
Conclusions
Surgery may be difficult if the ERM is of stage 4 or the vascular tortuosity grade 2 or more. A retinal surgery novice should consider these factors when contemplating surgery.

Keyword

Beginner; Epiretinal membrane; Vitrectomy