27-Gauge Vitrectomy for a Thick Epiretinal Membrane: New Tools

A 67-year-old woman presented with severe metamorphopsia secondary to a thick epiretinal membrane. Examination reveals a prior horseshoe tear in the periphery. She has an artificial valve and is on Coumadin (warfarin sodium, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, New York, NY).

The surgeons demonstrate a 27-gauge vitrectomy without the need to stop anticoagulant therapy, as well as a new 27-gauge instrument, Finesse Flex Loop (Alcon Laboratories, Inc, Fort Worth, TX) to help peel the epiretinal membrane.

There is no evidence of bleeding at the end of surgery.