The Effect of Retinal Tear Location and Internal Tamponade on The Success of Pars Plana Vitrectomy in Patients with Uncomplicated Retinal Detachment

Overview

Aim: Retinal detachment is an acute sight-threatening condition that requires immediate surgical intervention. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) between the different types of gases used, the position, and the number of tears.

Material and Methods: This is a retrospective non-randomized comparative study of patients with uncomplicated RRD treated at the Department of Ophthalmology from March 2018 to April 2021 using PPV. A total of 494 evaluated eyes were included in the study. The anatomical success of the surgery was monitored with regard to the extent of retinal detachment, the number and position of tears, and the tamponade used.

Results: The success rate of retinal reattachment with a single operation was 90.7% (448 eyes), and the final anatomical success rate was 100%. A very weak paired relationship was found between the success of the surgery for tears in the 4–8 hours region and the 9–3 hours region (89.1% vs. 92%). Similarly, no significant differences were observed between procedures using SF6 and C3F8 gases for RRD with a tear in the 4–8 hours region (success rate 93.4% for SF6 vs. 89.1% for C3F8). The average postoperative improvement of best corrected visual acuity was 29.6 ETDRS letters, and a gain of 15 letters was recorded in 55.1% (272 eyes). Overall, the complication rate was very low.

Conclusion: PPV is a safe and effective method for treating RRD. Extensive experience with this method allows the use of short-acting tamponades in selected patients.

Keywords:

Retinal detachment – Pars plana vitrectomy – gas tamponade