[Pneumatic retinopexy. Analysis of the first 20 cases]

The author analyses the results of 20 eyes with retinal detachment (RD) treated by the Pneumatic Retinopexy procedure (intra-vitreal gas injection and coagulation of the retinal breaks). The selected RD's were caused by peripheral retinal breaks located in the superior 270 degrees of the retina and of less than 45 degrees width. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) was grade C1 or less. In 15% of the cases, the RD was a recurrence after previous surgery and 10% of the eyes were aphakic. The anatomic success rate was 95% both initially and after 6 months follow up. Three (15%) recurrences of RD were noted within the first postoperative month. One of these was caused by massive PVR. A secondary buckling was proposed when important vitreoretinal traction was noted after pneumatic reattachment. No case of subretinal gas, macular pucker or infection was seen. Postoperative visual acuity greater than or equal to 4/10 was obtained in 80% of the 10 macular off cases. In this limited series, the anatomic success rate of the Pneumatic Retinopexy procedure was similar to that of classical RD surgery, but functional results proved better. If these results are confirmed by larger series, Pneumatic Retinopexy could become the choice procedure in primary repair of uncomplicated rhegmatogenous RD's.