Pneumatic buckle for the repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

This prospective study examines the effectiveness of the pneumatic buckle procedure (nondrainage scleral buckle with pneumatic retinopexy) for repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments.

We studied 58 consecutive patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments who underwent a pneumatic buckle with air or SF6. The procedures were performed at 2 centers. Retinal reattachment and visual acuity were examined.

The single operation reattachment rate for patients undergoing a pneumatic buckle procedure was 95%. Eighty eight percent of patients with macula-on detachment had unchanged or improved final visual acuity. Sixty seven percent of patients with macula-off detachments had a final visual acuity between 20/20 and 20/50. Twenty nine percent had final visual acuity between 20/60 and 20/200. Two patients developed a new retinal hole postoperatively.

Pneumatic buckle is an effective technique for repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments caused by breaks in the superior 8 o'clock segment. This technique avoids the complications associated with the drainage portion of the traditional scleral buckle operation and results in a high rate of retinal reattachment and stable or improved visual acuity. The rate of new retinal hole formation in this study is much lower than those reported for pneumatic retinopexy.