INFERIOR RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR USING VITRECTOMY WITH OR WITHOUT SCLERAL BUCKLING

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Surgery
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Inferior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) presents unique surgical challenges.
• Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and scleral buckle (SB) are common surgical approaches.
• Comparing outcomes for these techniques in inferior RRD is crucial for clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the outcomes of inferior RRD repair using pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) versus PPV combined with scleral buckle (PPV-SB).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 366 patients undergoing surgery for inferior RRD between 2014 and 2018.
• Inclusion criteria: inferior RRD (tears between 4-8 clock hours), exclusion of other RRD etiologies and advanced proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
• Primary outcome: single-surgery anatomic success, defined as no reoperation for recurrent RRD.

Main Results:

• Single-surgery anatomic success rates were 91% for PPV and 87% for PPV-SB (P=0.38).
• Final visual acuity was comparable between groups (P=0.03).
• Multivariate analysis confirmed PPV-SB did not significantly alter single-surgery anatomic success (P=0.210) after adjusting for baseline factors.

Conclusions:

• Pars plana vitrectomy and PPV with scleral buckle demonstrate comparable single-surgery anatomic success rates for inferior RRD repair.
• The choice between PPV and PPV-SB may not significantly impact initial anatomic success in inferior RRD cases.
• These findings support the use of either technique based on surgeon preference and patient-specific factors.