Pre-operative intravitreal bevacizumab (avastin)‎ injection before diabetic vitrectomy

Abstract EN

Evaluate the effect of intravitreal Avastin® prior to diabetic vasectomy surgery and assess outcomes on OR time and inter-op block as major advantages.

At King Faisal Specialist Hospital and King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital both in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia plus in UK tertiary care health facilities, 20 eyes underwent diabetic vitrectomy in June 2008 to June 2009 ; included and randomized to a standard vitrectomy (group 1 / control) or with preoperative Avastin® (group 2 / study).

Avastin® was injected 7-14 days preoperative for surgery ; main outcomes were surgery feasibility and postoperative complications.

Follow-up ranged between 6 and 12 months.

A significant reduction of mean surgical time, bleeding frequency and diathermy were noted in group 2 compared to group 1.

Gas or air was used in 80 % of patients (group 2), while silicone oil 60 % (group 1).

Postoperative visual acuity improvement was highly significant in both groups.

Primary anatomical attachment was achieved in 90.3 % (group 2) and 86.6% (group 1).

Rate of subsequent surgeries and persistent cataract were higher in group 1.

Postoperative bleeding was reported in 26.6 % in group 1 and none in group 2 (none related to Avastin® injection or progression of traction).

Preoperative Avastin® successfully achieved the goal in diabetic vitrectomy surgery.