Internal Drainage of Subretinal Fluid Using 25/32 Gauge Cannula in Eyes with Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a modified novel surgical approach for the drainage of subretinal fluid (SRF) during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for the repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This retrospective consecutive interventional case series included 15 eyes of 15 consecutive patients who were followed for at least 3 months. All patients underwent 25-gauge (G) PPV with retinal penetration using 25/32G subretinal cannula and SRF aspiration. Laser photocoagulation was not applied around the drainage area in any case. Primary outcomes included visual acuity and the presence of SRF at 1 month.

RESULTS

SRF was not detected in any case at postoperative 1 month. Mean (±standard deviation) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity improved from 1.44±1.11 to 0.43±0.59 at the last visit (p<0.01). Cataract surgery was performed in the same sitting in 5 of 11 phakic eyes (45%). Single-site drainage was effective in 11 eyes (73.4%) while two-site drainage was performed in the remaining 4 eyes (26.6%). Retinal pigment epithelium defects were observed at the drainage site in 3 eyes (20%). During follow-up, redetachment due to proliferative vitreoretinopathy occurred in one case (6.6%) and epiretinal membrane in 2 cases (13.3%). Cataract developed in 3 of the 6 remaining phakic eyes (50%).

CONCLUSION

Transretinal drainage of SRF with the assistance of 25/32G subretinal cannula is effective with low complication rates. This drainage technique may positively affect early postoperative outcomes.