ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic effect of 360 degree endolaser photocoagulation for prevention of retinal detachment after pars plana vitrectomy. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 53 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy by one surgeon from Jan 2008 to Dec 2008 were examined. We compared the visual acuity improvement and postoperative retinal detachment and other postoperative complications in the 28 patients who received the 360 degree endolaser photocoagulation during the pars plana vitrectomy and the 26 patients who did not receive the 360 degree endolaser photocoagulation during the pars plana vitrectomy. RESULTS: Two patients who did not receive 360 degree endolaser photocoagulation during the surgery got the postoperative retinal detachment. One of them got the only fluid gas exchange, but the other had to receive the reoperation. There was no statistically significant difference of visual acuity between the two groups (p > 0.05), and no surgical complication associated with endolaser photocoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: 360 degree endolaser photocoagulation for prevention of retinal detachment during the pars plana vitrectomy would be considerable for preventing the retinal detachment development.