Low redetachment rate due to encircling scleral buckle in giant retinal tears treated with vitrectomy and silicone oil.

Abstract

The goal of this study was to identify risk factors for redetachment and to assess long-term anatomic and functional results of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for retinal detachment associated with giant retinal tears (GRT). In a retrospective study the authors analyzed 30 eyes which were operated with PPV for GRT retinal detachment in their clinic between March 1998 and August 2003. Redetachment rate after one vitrectomy procedure in this series of 30 eyes was 30% (n = 9), and ultimately, the retina was attached in 29 (96.7%) eyes. After multivariate analysis the absence of an encircling scleral buckle (P = 0.008) was significantly associated with redetachment. Visual acuity improved in 54% of the eyes. Vitrectomy with an encircling scleral buckle seems to be a preferred treatment for complicated retinal detachments due to GRT.