Primary 23 Gauge Transconjunctival Sutureless Vitrectomy With Air Tamponade for Simple Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

PURPOSE: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of primary 23-gauge (23G) transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) with air tamponade in patients with idiopathic simple rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: A chart review of 38 eyes with idiopathic simple RRD which underwent primary 23G TSV with air tamponade and without prone positioning by a single vitreoretinal surgeon was retrospectively performed. All cases were followed up for a minimum of 3 months after the operation. RESULTS: The primary anatomical success rate was 94.7% (36/38 eyes). Preoperative mean logMAR (Snellen) best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.81 +/- 0.13 and improved to 0.63 +/- 0.37 and 0.48 +/- 0.37 at postoperative 1 week and 3 months (p < 0.05), respectively. The mean 21.35% amount of air bubble remained in the vitreous cavity at postoperative 1 week and the residual air bubble was completely absorbed at postoperative 2 weeks. Complications were sclerotomy site leakage (1 eye), cataract (3 eyes), vitreous hemorrhage (1 eye), epiretinal membrane (2 eyes) and increased intraocular pressure (3 eyes). CONCLUSIONS: The use of 23G TSV with air tamponade in cases with idiopathic simple RRD may be an effective and safe surgical technique.

Clinical Results between Scleral Buckling and Vitrectomy in Pseudophakic Retinal Detachment with Intact Posterior Capsule

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes between scleral buckling and vitrectomy in the primary management of pseudophakic retinal detachment with an intact posterior capsule. METHODS: The medical records of 63 eyes that underwent scleral buckling (36 eyes) or vitrectomy (27 eyes) as a primary operation of uncomplicated pseudophakic retinal detachment with intact posterior capsules with a follow-up of more than one year were retrospectively reviewed from 2000 to 2005. We compared the clinical outcomes using anatomical and functional success rates at postoperative one year. Anatomical success was defined by a reattachment rate and functional success was measured by a change of more than 0.3 logMAR. RESULTS: Anatomical success rates were 86% in the scleral buckling and 82% in the vitrectomy, respectively (p=0.837). Functional success rates were 81% in the scleral buckling and 70% in the vitrectomy, respectively (p=0.065). There were no significant differences of anatomical and functional success rates according to each surgical procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Either scleral buckling or vitrectomy may be chosen as a primary operation in the management of pseudophakic retinal detachment with intact posterior capsule.

Primary Vitrectomy in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Pars plana vitrectomy was performed for 50 eyes of 50 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, as the primary procedure, and the indications, surgical results, visual outcome, and complications were analyzed. The procedures with vitrectomy included scleral buckling, membrane peeling, intravitreal gas or silicone oil injection, endolaser photocoagulation, or lensectomy. The retina was successfully reattached in 15 (88.2%) of 17 eyes with moderate to severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), in 15 (100%) of 15 eyes with posterior retinal breaks, in 6 (75%) of 8 eyes with giant retinal tear, in 8 (100%) of 8 eyes with poor view of the retina and in 2 (100%) of 2 eyes with undetected retinal breaks. Two or more operations were performed in seventeen eyes(34%) and severe PVR (12 eyes, 66.7%) was the most common cause of reoperation. Visual acuity was improved in 30 eyes (60%), unchanged in 8 eyes (16%), and worse in 12 eyes (24%).

Primary vitrectomy Using Scleral Depressin Technique for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

We performed a primary vitrectimy using scleral depression technique for uncomplicated rhegmetogenous retinal detachment and intended to highlight the importance of scleral depression technique. The indications for the primary vitrectomy were eyes with multiple or posteriorly located retinal breaks, unidentified retinal breaks, vitreous opacities, strong vitreous tractions on the retina tear flap, and aphakic/pseudophakic retinal detachments, Removal of vitreoretinal traction and vitreous base dissection using scleral depression technuque were performed in sixty-eight eyes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment uncomplicated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy of grade C or worse. Scleral segmental buckle or encircling was also placed in 60 of 68 eyes. The retina was reattached after the primary operation in fifty-seven eyes(80.9%), and after reoperations in remaining eleven eyes(19.1%). Postoperative visual acuity was 0.4 or better in thirty-eight eyes (55.9%), and worse than 0.025 in eight eyes(11.8%). Vitrectomy in conjuction with scleral depression technique would be effective in increasing surgical success rate in selected cases of retinal detachment surgery.