Evaluation of retinectomy in the treatment of severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the postoperative results and efficacy of retinectomy in the treatment of severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). METHODS: The study involved 38 individuals with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment initially diagnosed with PVR grade C3 who had undergone pars plana vitrectomy combined with scleral buckle and silicone oil as a tamponade. A standard three-port pars plana vitrectomy was performed, and the extension of performing a retinectomy was decided during the procedure. The patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months after the last surgical procedure. Reoperation, postoperative hypotony and final reattachment rates were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with an Exact Fisher’s test. RESULTS: The mean preoperative visual acuity was >1.3 logMAR. The postoperative visual acuity improved and ranged from 1.3 to 0.7 logMAR (p < 0.63). The preoperative intraocular pressure was 10.2 mmHg and postoperatively was 11.6 mmHg. Postoperative hypotony was observed in 15.8 % of the cases. The reoperation rate after the first procedure was 63.2 %. A total of 44.7 % of the patients needed a retinectomy greater than 270° for a final anatomical success. The final retinal reattachment rate was 94.7 %. CONCLUSIONS: Retinectomy can be an effective surgical procedure in the treatment of severe PVR, and it may increase the final reattachment rate.