PREOPERATIVE GAS FOR PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY: A SURGICAL TECHNIQUE FOR REPAIR OF RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENTS WITH MULTIPLE, LARGE, OR INFERIOR BREAKS

To describe the role of preoperative gas for pars plana vitrectomy (PGP) as an adjunct to surgical repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: This is a retrospective consecutive case series of all rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with multiple breaks in more than one quadrant, large breaks extending greater than one clock hour, and/or inferior breaks requiring PPV, who received intravitreal injection of sulfur hexafluoride (SF(6)) or perfluoropropane (C(3)F(8)) 1–2 weeks before PPV between 2016 and 2020 at a tertiary care center. RESULTS: A total of 109 eyes underwent the PGP technique, 73% of which had macular involvement. The rhegmatogenous retinal detachments on average involved 5.5 (SD 2.1) clock hours with inferior retinal breaks in 51%. Based on clinical examination, subretinal fluid was noted to be dissipated in parts of the detached retina before PPV in 57% of cases. The use of perfluorocarbon heavy liquid or posterior drainage retinotomy was required in 16% of cases. A 95% primary anatomical success rate was achieved over the median 177 (interquartile range 105–526) follow-up days. A final visual acuity of 20/50 or better was achieved in 65%. CONCLUSION: PGP as an adjunct to PPV may facilitate ease of surgery, as well as anatomical and functional success for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with multiple, large, and/or inferior breaks.