Objective To investigate the histopathologic charact eristic of the vitreous herniation out of sclerotomy site during vitrectomy. Methods Twenty specimens of tissues herniated at vitrectomy site were collected. The paraffin sections or fresh smears were stained with hematoxylineosin and examined under light microscope. The specimens were collected from the affected eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (9 cases), traumatic retinal detachment (1 case), miscellaneous vitreous hemorrhage (6 cases) and intraocular foreign body (4 cases). Results The herniated tissues were found to be retina in 4 cases, ciliary tissue in 1 case, retina and ciliary tissue in 1 case, uvea in 1 case, and hyaloid tissue in 13 cases. Conclusion There were not only vitreous, ciliary epithelial cells and pigment containe depithelia, but also ciliary body, retina and uvea in the prolapsed tissues of sclerotomy site, which might be related to the occurence of some clinical complications. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2001,17:99-101)