Outcomes of scleral buckle technique performed by trainee doctors in retinal detachment

Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the outcomes of patients operated for retinal detachment by scleral buckle technique done by trainee doctors pursuing postgraduate course in ophthalmology. METHODS: This study was a non-comparative retrospective case series to evaluate the demography, clinical features and outcomes of patients underwent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repaired by scleral buckle technique from July 2017 to February 2018 at a tertiary care center in India. Records of all these patients were screened. Statistical analyses were performed and using Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney test and Nominal Logistic regression. RESULTS: Totally of 41 patients were included out of which, 32 (78.04%) were males and 9 (21.95%) were females. In our study primary anatomical success rate was 95.12%, with significant visual gain. Postoperative complications were raised intraocular pressure (n=2), new breaks (n=2) and re-detachment in 2 patients which was successfully managed by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal tamponade and laser. CONCLUSION: The study showed that scleral buckle surgeries done by trainee doctors under supervision can achieve a high success rate in patients of RRD both in terms of postoperative anatomical success, visual acuity and complication rates. Thus, scleral buckle surgery can be an acceptable primary procedure for trainee doctors for management of RRD in selected cases despite the various treatment options now available.