J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2001 Dec;42(12):1812-1815.

Five Cases of Arteriovenous Adventitial Sheathotomy for Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

• Kim KH
• Kim YY
• Kim SD

Abstract

PURPOSE: To report the results of arteriovenous adventitial sheathotomy for treatment of macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion.
METHODS
Five eyes of five patients underwent arteriovenous adventitial sheathotomy. Patient selection criteria were the best-corrected visual acuity of less than 0.1 and duration of less than 1 month. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed and 23 gauge needle, bent at the tip, was used to cut through the adventitial sheath and separate the arteriole from the underlying venule. Patients were followed postoperatively for 6 months to 1 year, with an average of 9.6 months.
RESULTS
In all 5 patients, the best-corrected visual acuity improved to 0.3 to 0.9. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated reperfusion of the retina and lessening of macular edema.
CONCLUSION
Arterionvenous adventitial sheathotomy may be beneficial for patients with poor vision secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion.

Keyword

Adventitial sheathotomy; Branch retinal vein occlusion; Pars plana vitrectomy

MeSH Terms

Arterioles
Fluorescein Angiography
Humans
Macular Edema
Needles
Patient Selection
Reperfusion
Retina
Retinal Vein Occlusion*
Retinal Vein*
Retinaldehyde*
Venules
Visual Acuity
Vitrectomy
Retinaldehyde