New retinal detachment after pneumatic retinopexy

Thirteen cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repaired by pneumatic retinopexy were reviewed retrospectively. All patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months after surgery. At the end of follow-up, retinal detachment repair by pneumatic retinopexy succeeded in nine cases (70%) and failed in four (30%). Within 2 days of pneumatic retinopexy, vitreous condensation and traction with new retinal tears and associated detachments in previously uninvolved quadrants developed in two patients. The occurrence of new retinal detachments in the early postoperative period after pneumatic retinopexy has not been previously observed.