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Pneumatic Retinopexy for Uncomplicated Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment
Author(s) -
KISS S
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2011.4211.x
Subject(s) - vitrectomy , tamponade , retinal detachment , pars plana , proliferative vitreoretinopathy , medicine , retinal , ophthalmology , visual acuity , scleral buckling , surgery
Purpose Since its introduction in 1985, pneumatic retinopexy (PR) has become an important office based procedure for treating an ever‐expanding group of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD). As an alternative to scleral buckling (SB) or pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), estimates suggest that over 40% of primary RRDs may be managed by PR. Methods The efficacy of PR is dependant on 4 cardinal steps: (1) Identification and localization of all retinal breaks; (2) Induction of retinopexy around all breaks with cryopexy or laser; (3) Intraocular gas injection; and (4) Consistent post‐operative head positioning for appropriate gas tamponade to achieve closure of the retinal breaks. Results Numerous prospective and retrospective reports have confirmed that the single operation success rate for PR ranges from 65‐75%, with a final anatomical success rate of over 95%. New retinal breaks typically occur in 10% of PR cases, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy is noted in approximately 5% of eyes. For repair of primary RRD, final post‐operative visual acuity does not appear to differ among eyes initially treated with PR when compared to those treated with SB or PPV. Conclusion PR has become a valuable technique in the modern era of RRD management. Despite its limitations and shortcomings, multiple clinical studies have clearly established its essential role in the armamentarium of surgical techniques utilized for the primary repair of RRD.