EXTERNAL DRAINAGE OF SUBRETINAL FLUID DURING RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR.

PURPOSE: To describe the safety and efficacy of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair with external drainage of subretinal fluid using a 28-gauge External Drainage and Depression device (Vortex Surgical, Chesterfield, MO).

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients who underwent primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair with scleral buckle, pars plana vitrectomy, or scleral buckle/pars plana vitrectomy using the drainage device from August 2018 through March 2020, performed by four surgeons at two vitreoretinal practices.

RESULTS

Eighty-three eyes of 83 patients were included. At presentation, 28% had proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Surgery included 65% scleral buckle/pars plana vitrectomy, 33% pars plana vitrectomy, and 2% scleral buckle. There were no cases of retinal incarceration and two subretinal hemorrhages at the drainage site (both < 2 DD), 2 cases of recurrent RD with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (1 had proliferative vitreoretinopathy at presentation), and 6 (10%) new epiretinal membranes (3 were mild). There were no other complications. Mean follow-up was 274 days. Single operation success rate for those with ≥ 6-month follow-up was 97% (57/59).

CONCLUSION

External drainage of subretinal fluid during rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair demonstrated a favorable safety profile with a high single operation success rate. Further study of the role of external drainage in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair is warranted.