Scleral resection operation for retinal detachment; an evaluation of the results.

Abstract

TWO HUNDRED consecutive scleral resection operations which we performed in cases of so-called idiopathic or post-traumatic retinal detachment form the basis of this report. Lindner's1modification of Mueller's original technique was used, with or without application to the exposed choroid of 2% potassium hydrochloride. The operation was routinely combined with diathermy coagulation for the purpose of drainage of the subretinal fluid. Any retinal breaks located posterior to or outside the sector of the scleral resection were treated with diathermy in routine fashion, allowing, in the former case, for the change in the position of the breaks due to resection. The resections were, in principle, penetrating; that is, they comprised the entire thickness of the sclera. Only in cases of unusual technical difficulties were thin fragments of sclera tucked in with the choroid. This happened in areas where the sclera was completely fused to the underlying choroid or was not