Circumferential silicone sponge scleral buckling induced axial length changes: case series and comparison to literature

Shira Sheen Ophir,Asaf Friehmann,Alexander Rubowitz

doi:10.1186/s40942-017-0063-1

Shira Sheen Ophir, Asaf Friehmann + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-017-0063-1

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Abstract

BackgroundThis study compared axial length changes induced by circumferential scleral buckling using a silicone sponge with literature reports for solid silicone rubber.MethodsRecords of patients treated with scleral buckling in 2009–2013 using a silicone sponge, with preoperative axial length biometry measurements were reviewed. Additional information included age, type of surgery, additional surgeries, phakic status and anatomical success of reattachment. Patients underwent repeat biometry. The medical literature was reviewed for articles describing axial length changes induced by circumferential buckling using solid silicone rubber.ResultsTwenty-eight patients (mean age 49.7 years, range 16–72) met the inclusion criteria. Mean axial length was 25.38 mm preoperatively and 26.12 mm at least 6 months postoperatively (SD 0.50 ± 0.09, p < 0.001); a mean increase of 0.74 mm. Half the patients subsequently underwent cataract surgery. Post-operative changes were not significant compared to pre-surgical refraction and corneal astigmatism. Axial length change was not significant between sexes (9 women and 19 men).ConclusionsAxial length changes induced by circumferential scleral buckling using silicone sponge exclusively are similar to those reported in the literature for solid silicone rubber buckles. Scleral buckling using a silicone sponge, which may offer several surgical advantages, induces an acceptable axial length change similar to that seen with widely-used solid silicone rubber buckles.

Highlights

This study compared axial length changes induced by circumferential scleral buckling using a silicone sponge with literature reports for solid silicone rubber
Background its popularity has declined in recent years [1], scleral buckling is still commonly used for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, either as a standalone procedure or combined with vitrectomy
We sought to determine whether the change in axial length induced by silicone sponge circular explants was significantly different from that reported in the literature for solid silicone explants, and whether one explant material was more advantageous than the other was

Summary

Introduction

This study compared axial length changes induced by circumferential scleral buckling using a silicone sponge with literature reports for solid silicone rubber. One of the most common side effects of Scleral buckling using solid silicone rubber explants is the most widely used form of buckling surgery, and several publications have documented the axial length changes it induces [7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18]. Ophir et al Int J Retin Vitr (2017) 3:10 length changes induced exclusively by using silicone sponge buckles have not been well documented. We sought to determine whether the change in axial length induced by silicone sponge circular explants was significantly different from that reported in the literature for solid silicone explants, and whether one explant material was more advantageous than the other was

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Results

Conclusion