Gas Tamponade-Free Vitrectomy with Suprachoroidal Buckling for the Treatment of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: Long-Term Results of a Case Series.

INTRODUCTION

Surgical treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is evolving. The purpose of this paper is to describe the clinical results of retrospective consecutive case series of suprachoroidal viscobuckling, without gas tamponade, for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Nine patients with retinal detachment due to a single retinal break or few breaks within 1 clock hour were included.

METHODS

Patients were treated with pars plana vitrectomy, trans-scleral suprachoroidal injection of sodium hyaluronate under the break to create a temporary indent, laser retinopexy, and no gas tamponade, under local anaesthesia. The main outcome measure was retinal reattachment at 12 weeks and adverse events.

RESULTS

All patients had closure of the causative break, but in 1 patient there was a small area of peripheral retinal detachment due to a missed break. This was walled off with laser barrage and was non-progressive. Eight cases had successful primary reattachment, and all had final reattachment. There was 1 case of raised intraocular pressure that responded to topical therapy but no clinically significant complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitrectomy and viscobuckle for simple retinal detachment appears to be safe and effective. This has the potential to reduce the burden of recovery and complications associated with gas tamponade and permanent buckling. Further study appears warranted.