ABSTRACT
Pneumatic retinopexy was introduced by Hilton in 1986, and this methed is a recently described procedure used for the treatment of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. A gas bubble is injected into the vitreous cavity so that the bubble closes the retinal break, permitting resorption of subretinal fluid. A chorioretinal adhesion formed around the break by cryotherapy or laser photocoagulation secures the retina in place. Indication of pneumatic retinopexy in A Two-step Outpatient Operation Without Conjuntival Incision described by Hilton in 1986 is retinal detachments secondary to one break or group of breaks no larger than 1 o'clock hour located within the superior 8 o'clock hours of the fundus. The ocular conditions of the 26 cases included in this study were proliferative vitreoretinopathy C1, C2, aphakia, multiple breaks in multiple quadrants, extensive retinal detachment more than 3 quadrants in size, pseudophakia. The overall success rate for primary pneumatic retinopexy was 73.1%(19 eyes). The greatest number of failure were due to delayed absorption of subretinal fluid (5 eyes). With subsequent procedure, 7 eyes that failed with primary pneumatic retinopexy were reattached.