Pneumatic retinopexy combined with scleral buckling in the management of relatively complicated cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: A multicenter, retrospective, observational consecutive case series(*)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of maximal pneumatic retinopexy (PR) and subretinal fluid (SRF) drainage combined with scleral buckling (SB) in the treatment of complicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: Patients with RRD who underwent maximal PR and SRF drainage combined with SB from June 2007 to June 2012 were included in this multicenter retrospective study. The outcome measures were the primary and final operation success rates and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: In total, 159 consecutive patients were included. The mean follow-up period was 13.76 ± 1.97 months. Primary operation success was achieved in 146/159 (91.82%) eyes. After salvage management, the final reattachment rate increased to 98.11%. All eyes had improved BCVA, with 62/159 (38.99%) attaining BCVA of ≥20/40. CONCLUSIONS: Maximal PR and SRF drainage combined with SB achieved satisfactory anatomical and visual recovery in relatively complicated cases of RRD. The decreased need for vitrectomy makes this surgical approach more widely available.