Pneumatic retinopexy versus scleral buckling: a randomised controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Techniques
• Retinal Detachment Repair

Background:

• Pneumatic retinopexy (PR) is a less invasive surgical option for retinal detachment.
• Conventional scleral buckling (SB) surgery is the established treatment for retinal detachments.
• Comparative studies are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PR versus SB.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate the safety and acceptability of pneumatic retinopexy (PR).
• To compare the outcomes of PR with conventional scleral buckling (SB) surgery.
• To determine the success rate of PR in a randomized controlled trial.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted.
• Twenty patients with specific retinal detachment criteria were randomized into two groups: PR (n=10) and SB (n=10).
• Inclusion criteria included single or small group of breaks (≤1 clock hour) in the superior eight clock hours; exclusion criteria included significant proliferative vitreoretinopathy or other fundus disorders.

Main Results:

• Successful retinal reattachment was achieved in 90% of the PR group and 100% of the SB group after one or more procedures.
• PR was performed under local anesthesia, while SB required general anesthesia.
• The study demonstrated comparable results between the two surgical techniques.

Conclusions:

• Pneumatic retinopexy (PR) is a safe and effective procedure for specific types of retinal detachments.
• PR offers a viable alternative to scleral buckling (SB) with comparable success rates.
• Refining selection criteria for PR may further enhance its success rate in retinal detachment repair.