[The scleral buckling combined with argon laser photocoagulation for retinal detachment]

To investigate the effects and indications of postoperative photocoagulation with argon laser instead of intraoperative cryotherapy for closing the retinal breaks during the scleral buckling operation in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) METHODS: An analysis of clinical data in 35 RD cases (38 eyes) was conducted retrospectively. These cases were treated by argon laser photocoagulation after the scleral buckling surgery from December, 1999 to April, 2000 in our hospital.

Thirty-eight eyes were followed-up from 3 to 6 months. In 36 of 38 eyes, the retina was reattached after surgery (94.7%). Postoperatively, thirty-one eyes (86. 1%) had a visual acuity (VA) of >or= 0.05 and the best VA was 1.0.

The method using postoperative photocoagulation instead of cryotherapy during scleral buckling surgery can simplify the surgical manipulations, alleviate the vessel damage of the retina and uvea and reduce the postoperative complications. It is a practicable way to treat RD. Surely, photocoagulation can not totally replace cryotherapy. Proper selection of indications and avoidance of complications of photocoagulation can elevate the successful rate of reattachment of RD, and promote the recovery of visual function.