Intravitreal low molecular weight heparin in PVR surgery
Kumar, A.; Nainiwal, S.; Sreenivas, B.
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology 51(1): 67-70
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-4738 PMID: 12701865 Document Number: 553349
To evaluate the efficacy of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in prevention of postoperative fibrin formation following vitreoretinal surgery with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Thirty consecutive patients of retinal detachment with advanced PVR were enrolled in the study. They were randomised to study and control groups (n = 15 each). Study group patients received vitreoretinal surgery with 5 IU/cc of LMWH in vitrectomy infusion fluid. The control group patients received vitroretinal surgery without heparin in the infusion fluid. Patients were followed up at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after surgery. Postoperative bleeding, media clarity, best-corrected visual acuity and success of the surgery at the end of 3 months were compared between the two groups. At each follow-up visit, the study group showed a better media clarity, which was statistically significant (P = 0.0042). The study group had a 50% better chance of retinal reattachment compared to the control group. Five patients had intraoperative bleeding in the study group (33%) compared to 3 patients in the control group (20%). Use of intravitreal LMWH prevents postoperative fibrin formation and is beneficial in repair of retinal detachments with PVR.