Comparison of scleral buckling and vitrectomy for retinal detachment resulting from flap tears in superior quadrants

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical results of vitrectomy and scleral buckling for uncomplicated superior retinal detachment caused by flap tears. METHODS: Included in the study were 225 patients (225 phakic eyes) undergoing primary surgery by three surgeons between January 1990 and December 1996 for superior retinal detachment caused by flap tears (138 eyes by scleral buckling, 87 eyes by vitrectomy); all patients had been followed up for longer than 6 months after surgery. The choice of one of the two procedures was based on each surgeon's preference. The surgical outcome and the rate of complications were retrospectively compared between the two groups of eyes. RESULTS: Initial and final anatomical success rate were 92% and 100% after each procedure. Retinal redetachment after the initial procedure was due to new retinal breaks in 5 eyes, reopening of original breaks in 2 eyes of vitrectomy cases, and due to malpositioned buckle in 11 eyes of scleral buckling cases. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy occurred in 3 eyes of vitrectomy cases. CONCLUSION: Primary vitrectomy was as successful as scleral buckling for treating superior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Even though the high incidence of postoperative cataract formation was the major drawback, vitrectomy had some advantages over scleral buckling.     

Primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Background: Pars planta vitrectomy has evolved as an alternative method in the treatment of more complicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. We report a series of patients who underwent primary vitrectomy with gas tamponade without the use of additional scleral buckling. Methods: A retrospective study of 53 patients with a follow-up of 6–45 months (mean 17.8 months) was carried out. Preoperative findings included unusual, multiple or large breaks, vitreous haemorrhage, proliferative vitreoretinopathy and bullous retinal detachment. Preoperative visual acuity was between light perception and 1.0, with 30% (16/53) of patients with 0.4 or better. Results: Retinal reattachment was achieved in 64% of cases (34/53) with one and in 92% (49/53) with one or more operations. Final visual acuity was between light perception and 1.0, with 41% (22/53) of patients with 0.4 or better. Cataract formation occurred in 86% (37/43) of all patients with a clear lens preoperatively. Macular pucker was noted in 11 % (6/53) and postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy causing redetachment in 6% (3/53). Conclusion: With primary vitrectomy, a high final anatomical success rate with few intraoperative complications can be achieved in more complicated forms of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. The major drawback of the procedure is the high incidence of post-operative cataract formation.     

Comparison of pars plana vitrectomy and scleral buckling for uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Retinal detachment surgery can now achieve a final reattachment rate in over 90% of cases. The operation of choice in most cases is that of external scleral buckling with or without drainage of subretinal fluid. However, in a minority of cases these techniques are difficult to apply either when the breaks are unseen due to media opacities or when the breaks are complex, eg, posterior, large, or multiple breaks at different distances from the ora. Improvements in the technique of pars plana vitrectomy for retinal detachment now offers us an alternative method for treating these difficult cases. Pars plana vitrectomy for retinal detachments with unseen or complex breaks has a final attachment rate of over 90%, is technically easier to perform than conventional surgery, and avoids the refractive and ocular motility problems associated with complicated buckles. For these reasons and despite the high risk of nuclear sclerosis in phakic eyes, a pars plana vitrectomy may be the preferred option in selected cases of primary retinal detachment.     

多段巩膜外垫压治疗多裂孔视网膜脱离的效果

目的评价巩膜外垫压术治疗多裂孔视网膜脱离的效果。方法对多段巩膜外垫压手术治疗多裂孔视网膜脱离40例（40眼）进行回顾性研究。结果40例中,34例术后3d视网膜完全复位,视网膜复位不佳6例,其中3例经增加或调整垫压后视网膜复位,手术失败改行玻璃体切除术3例。术后视力均有不同程度提高。结论多裂孔视网膜脱离以多段巩膜外垫压手术治疗效果良好。     

Primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

PURPOSE: To report the anatomic and functional results of primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for the treatment of pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (PsRD). DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized surgical technique study. METHODS: One hundred eyes of 98 patients with PsRD were operated by vitrectomy alone. Internal subretinal fluid drainage, cryocoagulation and/or endolaser and fluid-air exchange with sulfur hexafluoride 20% was applied in all cases. The preoperative and postoperative characteristics were analyzed. Main outcome measures were anatomic success rates after initial surgical intervention and after reoperation for primary failures, visual outcome at the last follow-up visit, and complications. RESULTS: Mean follow-up +/- standard deviation (SD) was 12 +/- 6.3 months (range, seven to 36 months). Mean final visual acuity +/- SD was 0.42 +/- 0.45 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) compared with 0.95 +/- 0.73 logMAR before surgery (P < .01). Mean number +/- SD of retinal breaks found before surgery was 1.36 +/- 1.12 (range, zero to five), and an additional 1.58 +/- 2.26 (range, zero to 15) retinal breaks were found during surgery. The retina was reattached successfully after a single surgery in 92 eyes (92%). Recurrence of retinal detachment occurred in eight eyes (8%), caused by proliferative vitreoretinopathy in six eyes (75%) and by new breaks in two eyes (25%). Final anatomic reattachment was obtained in these cases after a mean of 1.75 subsequent operations. Three eyes required permanent silicone oil tamponade so that final anatomic success was achieved in 97 eyes (97%). The most common postoperative complication was ocular hypertonia of more than 21 mm Hg, observed in 36 (36%) eyes, which was managed successfully. CONCLUSIONS: Primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling provides a high anatomic success rate in eyes with PsRD and is associated with few complications.     

Pars-plana vitrectomy alone vs vitrectomy with scleral buckling for primary rhegmatogenous pseudophakic retinal detachment

PURPOSE: To compare primary pars-plana vitrectomy (PPV) alone vs vitrectomy with an encircling scleral buckling procedure for the treatment of primary rhegmatogenous pseudophakic retinal detachment (PsRD). DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, comparative study. METHODS: All 71 eyes of 68 consecutive patients with PsRD presented to our service between 1998 and 2002 were offered either vitrectomy alone (group-A) or vitrectomy in combination with encircling scleral buckling procedure (group-B). Preoperative and postoperative patient characteristics were recorded in detail. Main outcome measures were reattachment with a single surgery, visual acuity, and reattachment surgery-related complications. RESULTS: Retina reattachment with a single surgery was achieved in 97.78% in group A and 92.31% in group B. Visual acuity improved by 3 or more lines in 60% in group A and 69% in group B. Mean postoperative refractive error change (spherical) was -0.05 diopters in group A and -1.43 diopters in group B. Postoperative intraocular pressure on long-term follow-up was elevated in 4.44% (group A) and 34.61% (group B). Average follow-up was 12.45 months (+/-5.23 SD) ranging from 9 to 40 months. We detected additional breaks intraoperatively in 54.9% of cases (both groups). CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy is an effective initial treatment for PsRD, whereas the benefit of an additional encircling buckling procedure is questionable.     

Comparison of scleral buckling with combined scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy in the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with unseen retinal breaks

Background: The purpose of the present paper was to compare the techniques of conventional scleral buckling and combined pars plana vitrectomy and scleral buckling procedures in rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with unseen retinal breaks. Methods: Forty‐four consecutive eyes with uncomplicated, primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with a clear media and unseen retinal breaks were randomized to two groups. The scleral buckling group underwent 360° scleral buckling, cryopexy and external subretinal fluid drainage. In the combined surgery group, 360° scleral buckling, pars plana vitrectomy, air?fluid exchange, endolaser and injection of 14% perfluoropropane gas was done. Results: At 3 months follow up the primary reattachment rate was 80% (16/20 cases) in the combined surgery group, and 70% (14/20 cases) in the scleral buckling group (P = 0.716). The visual acuity improved significantly from a preoperative median of hand movement (HM; range: HM to 6/60; similar in both the groups), to a median of 6/60 (range: perception of light to 6/18) in the combined surgery group and a median of 6/36 (range: HM to 6/18) in the scleral buckling group, the difference between the two groups not being statistically significant (P = 0.4). The number of intraoperative and postoperative complications was more in the combined surgery group. (four cases were lost to follow up and were doing well when last examined.) Conclusion: Conventional scleral buckling was found to be a safe and effective technique in the primary management of uncomplicated, rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with unseen retinal breaks when the media is clear.     

巩膜扣带术在玻璃体切除术后视网膜未复位患者中的应用

目的 探讨应用巩膜扣带术治疗玻璃体切除术后视网膜未复位患者的手术疗效.设计回顾性病例系列.研究对象2004～2010年北京同二医院43例43眼玻璃体切除术后视网膜未复位患者.方法 所有患者采用间接检眼镜直视下冷冻裂孔、巩膜环扎或外垫压、外放液方法治疗.对硅油填充眼,先行巩膜扣带术,术后1～4周后再行硅油取出.主要指标术后视网膜复位情况、视力、眼压和并发症等.结果 43眼中,12眼为单纯行玻璃体切除或联合玻璃体腔注气术后视网膜脱离,经一次巩膜扣带术,11眼复位,1眼失败后再次行玻璃体切除硅油填充术 24眼为硅油填充眼,其中22眼行巩膜扣带术后视网膜完全复位,1～4周后行硅油取出,2眼视网膜未复位,取油时联合视网膜切开,硅油再填充,最终1眼完全复位,1眼广泛视网膜增殖,增生性玻璃体视网膜病变（PVR）形成,光感消失,眼球萎缩 7眼为硅油取出术后视网膜再脱离眼,行巩膜扣带手术后6眼视网膜完全复位,1眼再次硅油填充.随访3～72个月,经一次巩膜扣带术后视网膜复位39眼（90.7%）,最终42眼（97.7%）视网膜复位.结论 对于玻璃体切除手术失败且裂孔位于周边部的视网膜脱离患者,采用巩膜扣带术式能有效地使视网膜再复位.     

Pseudophakic retinal detachment: treatment by vitrectomy and scleral buckling. Pilot study

INTRODUCTION: Localization of retinal tears generating a pseudophakic retinal detachment (RD) is not always possible; subsequently, segmental indentation by external compression often causes a residual RD. Vitrectomy enables a detailed view of the peripheral part of the retina and better detection of small size retinal breaks. Our pilot survey report anatomic and functional results of a surgical treatment of pseudophakic RD, associating vitrectomy and scleral buckling. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty three consecutive pseudophakic eyes showing an RD were operated on with scleral buckling, vitrectomy, internal subretinal fluid drainage, endolaser and fluid-air exchange by SF(6) 20%. Preoperative findings, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and final results were analyzed. RESULTS: The retina was successfully reattached with a single operation in 21 eyes (92%). One eye presented a recurrence of RD due to a preexisting retinal tear. PVR was observed in one case with the recurrence of the RD. In both cases, a second operation achieved the retinal reattachment. After surgery, visual acuity improved on an average of 3 lines. The most frequently occurring complication was a transitory hypertony in 6 cases (26%). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of the pseudophakic RD, combining vitrectomy and scleral buckling shows very good anatomic and functional results; it seems to offer the advantage of a better localization of peripheral retina tears, which enables a recovery with a lower recurrence rate than by extra-ocular surgery only.     

The learning curve for primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for pseudophakic retinal detachment

Background  To assess the functional and anatomical outcome of primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in pseudophakic patients and to present the learning curve for this surgery in less experienced surgeons. Methods  We reviewed the charts of pseudophakic patients treated with primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with PVR<C in two academic centres by four surgeons (two more experienced and two less experienced surgeons) for 1 year. The primary endpoint was the reattachment rate with a single procedure by less experienced and more experienced surgeons. Then, to assess the learning curve of this treatment, we compared the results obtained in consecutive pseudophakic patients by less experienced surgeons at the beginning and after a 2-year training period. Results  First, 133 patient charts with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were included. Retinal reattachment was achieved with a single surgery in 75.2% for all surgeons. This rate was 80.9% for more experienced surgeons compared to 70% for less experienced surgeons (p = 0.37). In another series of 239 patients operated on by less experienced surgeons, the success rate obtained at the beginning of the training period for less experienced surgeons significantly increased after 2 years (from 66.7% to 80%, p < 0.049). Conclusion  Primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling is an effective procedure to treat pseudophakic retinal detachment. Less experienced surgeons need sufficient time to achieve acceptable success rates, reflecting the learning curve for this procedure. Funding: none Financial disclosure: none Institutional review board approval was obtained for this study. The study protocol adhered to tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. The following ISRCTN has been assigned to our trial: ISRCTN88931004 - The authors have full control of all primary data, and they allow Graefe’s Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology to review their data upon request.     

巩膜环扎术在孔源性视网膜脱离玻璃体手术中的应用评价

目的 探讨巩膜环扎术在孔源性视网膜脱离(rhegmatogenous retinal detachement,RRD)玻璃体手术中的应用价值。 方法 回顾分析1995～1999年由我院RRD计算机分析系统收录的RRD行玻璃体手术者共254例中有随访记录的118例的临床资料。全部患者均为1次玻璃体手术，按手术中是否进行巩膜环扎分为巩膜环扎组和非环扎组，分别分析各组增生性玻璃体视网膜病变(proliferative vitreoretinopathy,PVR)级别、裂孔位置、不同眼内填充物与视网膜解剖复位率的关系。 结果 118例患者手术后随访1.5个月～3年，平均随访时间为6.5个月。视网膜复位96例，占81.4%,未复位22例，占18.6%。视网膜复位者中巩膜环扎组视网膜复位43例，占44.7%，非环扎组视网膜复位53例，占55.3%。巩膜环扎组与非环扎组PVR不同级别(C,D级)、不同填充物以及PVR C级不同部位视网膜裂孔(裂孔位于赤道前、赤道区或赤道前后均有裂孔)视网膜复位率比较其差异无显著性意义(P＞0.05)。而PVR D级视网膜裂孔位于赤道后者巩膜环扎组与非环扎组比较，非环扎组视网膜复位率高于环扎组，其差别有显著性意义(P＜0.05)。 结论 RRD玻璃体手术中巩膜环扎与否对视网膜脱离手术后视网膜复位率无明显影响。 (中华眼底病杂志, 2002, 18: 212-214)     

裂孔源性视网膜脱离的最小量巩膜外加压手术

目的探讨裂孔源性（原发性）视网膜脱离巩膜外加压手术的最小量手术方式及其效果。方法裂孔源性视网膜脱离26例（26眼），在手术显微镜下行球结膜环形剪开、四直肌预置牵引线，在间接检眼镜下行视网膜裂孔精确定位及中度冷凝，手术显微镜下行巩膜外放液及巩膜缝线固定外加压块，所有外加压均采用修剪后的小硅胶海绵块，只固定巩膜褥式缝线1对。多发性裂孔于每个裂孔处分别于巩膜表面以1对褥式缝线固定硅胶海绵。所有手术眼均未行环扎术。手术后随访3～9月。结果所有患者手术过程顺利，无术中并发症，手术损伤小；手术后眼底检查外加压精确地顶压裂孔，视网膜完全复位25眼，1眼高度近视于手术后2周视网膜脱离复发经玻璃体手术后视网膜复位；手术后视力提高者21眼，不变4眼，下降1眼。结论最小量的外加压手术的优点是精确、可靠、创伤小，能避免传统巩膜扣带手术的一些并发症，手术成功率高。     

玻璃体切割加巩膜扣带术治疗视网膜脱离

目的：探讨玻璃体切割术中、术后巩膜扣带术的应用范围。方法：在玻璃体切割术中发现视网膜裂孔不能与脉络膜紧贴的患,或术后视网膜裂孔封闭不理想并伴有局限性视网膜脱离,按常规行巩膜扣带术。结果：87眼中,玻璃体切割术中行巩膜扣带术36眼,术后行扣带术42眼,玻璃体切割术中及术后各行1次扣带术6眼,术后行2次扣带术3眼,其中视网膜复位79眼,失败的8眼中,有6例行第2次玻璃体切割术,视网膜复位5眼。结论：巩膜扣带术适合于视网膜增厚及视网膜前后膜增殖不严重、裂孔小、视网膜脱离范围不大的患。     

Motility and binocularity outcomes in vitrectomy versus scleral buckling in retinal detachment surgery

· Background: Ocular motility defects and loss of binocularity are well-recognised problems following retinal detachment surgery. It is presumed that scleral buckling is primarily responsible for these effects. The increasing use of vitrectomy in the management of retinal detachment might be expected to reduce the incidence of these defects. · Method: Two groups of patients presenting with primary uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachments were examined following a single surgical repair. The first group underwent vitrectomy (n=17), the second group, scleral buckling / external surgical techniques (n=23). · Results: Heterotropia was present in 24% (n=4) of the vitrectomy group and 30% (n=7) of the ”external” group, with suppression reported clinically in 8 of these and diplopia by the other 3. While ocular movements were frequently full (vitrectomy 59%, external 61%), restricted vertical movements were observed in 35% of the vitrectomy group and 26% of the external group, with horizontal and general restrictions being rare (6% and 13% respectively). True motor fusion was more common for the external group (44%) than the vitrectomies (24%), while superimposition was more frequent in the vitrectomies (64%; external 39%). The latter was achieved only with correcting prisms in 18% of vitrectomies and 9% of the external group. The remainder did not demonstrate any potential for binocularity. Visual symptoms were more frequent among the vitrectomy group, with aniseikonia and torsion significantly more common. · Conclusions: The findings confirm that ocular motility problems are not exclusive to scleral buckling, with the incidence being similar in both groups. Slinging of the extraocular muscles and the accompanying dissection, resulting in the ’fat adherence syndrome’, must be considered as contributory factors. The visual deficits which inevitably occur as the result of retinal detachment seem to play a more major role in the disruption of binocularity in these cases. Received: 15 June 1999 Revised version received: 8 September 1999 Accepted: 15 September 1999     

巩膜扣带术后视网膜脱离

目的：分析巩膜扣带术后视网膜脱离形成的原因和玻璃体手术治疗方法。方法：回顾46例（46只眼）孔源性视网膜脱离患者的临床资料及其手术治疗方法。结果：巩膜扣带术后24只眼出现新孔,其中7只眼为黄斑部裂孔;18只眼PVR发展C级 以上;5只眼原裂孔未封闭;5只眼合并有脉络膜脱离;这些因素导致35只眼视网膜下液持续不吸收。38只眼玻璃体手术后视网膜复位,占82.6%;多次手术后最终手术成功45只眼,成功率为97.8%。结论：巩膜扣带术后失败原因主要为新孔的发生、PVR发展和视网膜下液不吸收;再次玻璃体手术时,掌握手术时机,对症处理,是提高手术成功的关键。     

Two-year follow-up study comparing primary vitrectomy with scleral buckling for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

PURPOSE: To compare the anatomic and visual outcomes achieved by scleral buckling and primary vitrectomy for the repair of macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. METHODS: The records were reviewed for a consecutive series of 167 patients (167 eyes) who were initially treated with scleral buckling or pars plana vitrectomy for primary macula-off retinal detachment. Patients were treated between January 1993 and December 1996. After adjustments for preoperative characteristics, data from 102 cases (55 scleral buckle cases and 47 primary vitrectomy cases) were used for the final comparison. There had been a minimum follow-up period of 24 months. RESULTS: No significant differences in single-procedure reattachment incidence (91%), final success incidence (100%) and incidence of postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy development (4%) were observed between the two treatment groups. Preoperative visual acuity, preoperative intraocular pressure, and duration of macular detachment were the three best predictors of postoperative visual recovery in both groups. Favorable overall visual recovery was obtained postoperatively, with no significant differences between the two groups throughout the follow-up period. However, in the eyes with poor preoperative visual acuity (<0.1), ocular hypotony (intraocular pressure <7 mm Hg), or prolonged macular detachment (more than 7 days), visual recovery in the primary vitrectomy group was significantly better (P <.05) than in the scleral buckle group from the first postoperative month. CONCLUSION: Both procedures achieved favorable anatomic and visual outcomes in the majority of patients with primary macula-off retinal detachment. Primary vitrectomy may be more effective than scleral buckling for achieving early visual rehabilitation in cases complicated by poor preoperative vision, ocular hypotony, and prolonged macular detachment.     

Selection of scleral buckling for primary retinal detachment

PURPOSE: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) may be caused by a flap tear or by an atrophic hole along the lattice degeneration. The aim of this study was to see whether different types of scleral buckling could achieve comparable reattachment rates in eyes with specific types of RRD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 128 eyes with RRD were assigned to receive 1 of 3 buckling procedures according to the following guidelines: retinal detachments caused by flap tears were treated with radial segmental buckling; retinal detachments caused by atrophic holes with limited lattice degeneration were treated with circumferential segmental buckling, and retinal detachments caused by multiple breaks with extensive lattice degeneration were treated with encircling buckling. RESULTS: 56 eyes received radial segmental buckling, 36 eyes received circumferential segmental buckling, and 36 eyes received encircling buckling. The reattachment rates in these three groups were 83.9, 86.1, and 88.9%, respectively (no statistically significant difference). The visual outcomes were comparable in all groups. Younger age, an increased requirement for subretinal fluid drainage, longer operation time, and myopic shift were noted in the encircling group. CONCLUSIONS: Comparable reattachment rates could be achieved in all three groups according to our guidelines. Segmental buckling is appropriate for two thirds of RRD in this study and has fewer complications than encircling buckling. Every retinal detachment behaves differently and should be subjected to its optimal buckling procedure to achieve the best results and to avoid unnecessary operative complications.