PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY-SUPRACHOROIDAL VISCOPEXY FOR RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Surgery
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a serious condition requiring prompt surgical intervention.
• Traditional surgical repair often involves pars plana vitrectomy with scleral buckle (PPV-SB).
• Exploring less invasive techniques with comparable efficacy is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reattachment rate of pars plana vitrectomy-suprachoroidal viscopexy (VIT-SCVEXY) for RRD repair.
• To compare the anatomic reattachment and functional outcomes of VIT-SCVEXY versus PPV-SB.
• To assess outcomes at 3 months postoperatively and at final follow-up.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study comparing VIT-SCVEXY (n=12) and PPV-SB (n=12) for RRD with inferior breaks.
• Patients were matched for key demographic and clinical characteristics.
• Outcomes assessed included retinal reattachment rates and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Main Results:

• Successful suprachoroidal viscoelastic buckle created in 75% of VIT-SCVEXY cases.
• 100% reattachment rate at 3 months for successful VIT-SCVEXY cases (9/9).
• Overall reattachment rates at 3 months were 100% for both VIT-SCVEXY (12/12) and PPV-SB (12/12).
• Final follow-up showed 91.6% reattachment for VIT-SCVEXY vs. 100% for PPV-SB (P=1.0).
• Mean BCVA was comparable between groups (LogMAR 0.7 ± 0.5 vs. 0.7 ± 0.3).
• Chemosis observed in 25% of VIT-SCVEXY cases; no adverse events in PPV-SB.

Conclusions:

• VIT-SCVEXY demonstrates comparable anatomic and functional outcomes to PPV-SB for RRD repair.
• VIT-SCVEXY may represent a less invasive surgical alternative.
• Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore long-term outcomes.