[Treatment of retinal detachment associated with large or giant retinal tears (author's transl)]

Nineteen retinal detachments associated with large or giant retinal tears (70 degrees to 340 degrees) were treated by a microsurgical technique excluding vitrectomy. Reattachment of the retina was achieved in 15 patients (79 p. cent). Near normal visual acuity was achieved in 9 eyes. The anatomical and visual results achieved in this series lead the authors to discuss the specific problems involved in the treatment of retinal detachments associated with large or giant retinal tears. The indications for vitrectomy can be limited to those retinal detachments associated with a retinal tear involving more than 2 quadrants, and/or an inverted posterior margin reaching or covering the posterior pole, and/or a fixed retina and/or massive retraction of the anterior vitreous gel. In the clinical experience of the authors the cases which do not fulfil the previous criteria can be treated by a microsurgical technique excluding vitrectomy.