Outcomes of Retinectomy in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment with Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy

To evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes of retinectomy in the management of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with inferior retinal breaks and advanced proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR C).

Quasi-experimental study.

LRBT, Free Base Eye Hospital, Karachi, from July 2015 to June 2017.

Forty eyes of 40 patients with primary inferior retinal breaks macula off detachments and advanced proliferative vitreoretinopathy (grade C) in which retinectomy was performed were included. Primary outcome measured was anatomic success, defined as complete retinal reattachment between neurosensory retina and retinal pigment epithelium at six months follow-up. Secondary outcomes included changes in best corrected visual acuity and postoperative complications. The follow-up period was up to six months after the last surgery. Association was determined between the retinectomy extension and the best corrected visual acuity postoperatively.

Retina was reattached after single operation in 29 eyes (72.5%), after the second operation in eight eyes (20%), and after the third operation in two eyes (5%). Final retinal reattachment was achieved in 39 out of 40 eyes (97.5%). The preoperative visual acuity was counting fingers CF in eight eyes (20%), hand motion HM in 28 eyes (70%), and light perception PL in four eyes (10%). The postoperative visual acuity improved in 27 eyes (67.5%), remained stable in 11 eyes (27.5%), and worsened in 2 eyes (5%). There was no statistically significant association between the retinectomy extension and maximum postoperative best corrected visual acuity (p=0.098). The significant postoperative complications were retinal redetachment and hypotony.

Retinectomies are effective in managing primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with severe PVR (PVR C), and Increase the final retinal reattachment rate.