Inferior Breaks Research Articles

Prognostic Factors after Primary Vitrectomy and Perfluorocarbon Liquids for Bullous Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

To identify prognostic factors for visual acuity and anatomic outcomes associated with bullous rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) management using primary pars plana vitrectomy, intraoperative perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCLs), and internal gas tamponade. The authors studied a consecutive series of 115 eyes (115 patients) with a bullous RRD not complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) associated with large, multiple, and/or posterior breaks in 58 (50.4%) eyes. All eyes underwent vitrectomy, injection of PFCL, and gas tamponade as the primary procedure. Encircling scleral bands were placed in all cases. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 60 months (mean 16.6+/-14.1 months). Retinal reattachment was achieved in 92.2% of eyes (106/115) with one operation and in all eyes after a second procedure. PVR was observed in 1 (0.87%) eye and preretinal membranes in 3 (2.6%) eyes. Progression of pre-existing cataract and development of new cataract occurred in 45 (58.4%) of the 77 phakic eyes. The presence of inferior retinal breaks was significantly associated with redetachment after the first procedure (p=0.0156). On univariate analysis, better preoperative visual acuity (p<0.001), macular sparing retinal detachment (p<0.001), and fewer quadrants involved by the detachment (p=0.0015) were significant positive prognostic factors for final visual acuity. Logistic regression analysis highlighted that macular sparing retinal detachment and absence of trauma were associated with better final visual acuity. Redetachment was associated with the presence of inferior retinal breaks. Visual recovery was dependent on preoperative visual acuity, macular involvement, extent of retinal detachment, and trauma.

PRIMARY 23-GAUGE TRANSCONJUNCTIVAL SUTURELESS VITRECTOMY FOR RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT

To describe the results of primary 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). In a prospective case series, 24 eyes of 24 consecutive patients with RRD underwent primary 23-gauge transconjunctival pars plana vitrectomy with intraocular gas tamponade. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 6 months to 16 months. Fifteen eyes (62.5%) had multiple breaks. Seven eyes (29.2%) had inferior breaks. Other complications included giant tear in one eye, peripheral choroidal detachment in one eye, and concomitant macular holes in two eyes. The primary anatomical success rate was 91.7%. The mean postoperative visual acuity at postoperative month 3 improved from 20/41 to 20/25 (P = 0.111) and from 20/735 to 20/56 (P < 0.0001) in macula-on and macula-off cases, respectively. One patient (4.2%) had hypotony on postoperative day 1. No patients developed choroidal detachments. No sutures were used in any of the sclerotomy sites. Of the patients, 87.5% reported no or mild foreign body sensation, whereas 79.1% reported no or mild pain on the first postoperative day. Twenty-three-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy appears to be a feasible option in treating RRD in selected cases, with the potential benefit of reducing postoperative ocular irritation.

Scleral buckling combined with vitrectomy for the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with inferior retinal breaks

Scleral buckling combined with vitrectomy for the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with inferior retinal breaks

Oxane HD vs silicone oil and scleral buckle in retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy and inferior retinal breaks

To compare pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with 1300 cs silicone oil and scleral buckle (SB) vs PPV with Oxane HD tamponade for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with inferior retinal breaks (IRB). Twenty eyes of 20 consecutive patients with primary inferior RRD and PVR >or=CP2 were alternatively assigned to PPV and 1300 cs silicone oil and segmental SB in the inferior periphery (group 1, n = 10) or PPV with Oxane HD (group 2, n = 10) in order of presentation. Silicone oil/Oxane HD removal was performed 12 weeks after surgery. Subjects were followed up for 6 months from oil removal. Operative time was lower in Oxane HD group (P = 0.012). In both groups, the retina was primary reattached at the third month after oil removal in nine eyes (90%). At the end of follow-up, retina was reattached in nine eyes (90%) in group 1 (including one eye with oil in situ), and in eight eyes (80%) in group 2 (P > 0.05). Silicone oil+SB and Oxane HD appear equal for primary RRD with IRB, but a large multi-centre study is required. Oxane HD permitted a reduced operative time.

Heavy tamponade 2 Densiron 68® in routine clinical practice: anatomical and functional outcomes of a consecutive case series

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Densiron 68 in the clinical management of complex vitreoretinal cases with inferior retinal pathology. We present a prospective interventional non-comparative case series of 122 eyes of 121 consecutive patients. The primary end point was anatomical re-attachment of the retina, defined as retinal re-attachment in the absence of any tamponade agent. The secondary end point was to record the visual function and surgical complications. Inclusion criteria were proliferative vitreoretinopathy, posterior or inferior retinal breaks, and the patient's inability to posture. Patients were 59.9 years (+/- 19.6), (m/f= 72:49), (R/L=65:57). Seventy-seven (63.1%) had previous unsuccessful retinal surgery and 45 had Densiron 68 at first procedure. The extent of the detachments was 2.21 quadrants (+/- 1.07) with macular involvement in 66 cases (54%). Eighty-seven (71.3%) patients achieved retinal re-attachment with one retinal operation and ultimately no tamponade, 102 (83.6%) achieved retinal re-attachment with more than one operation and ultimately no tamponade, and 112 (91.3%) patients achieved flat retina with tamponade in situ. Visual acuity rose from 1.38 LogMar (+/- 0.87) to 1.06 (+/- 0.83) (P=0.007). Densiron was removed after 135 days (+/- 73.2; range 35-405). No tamponade agent can provide simultaneous support for the superior as well as the inferior retina; therefore, a tamponade agent that 'sinks' is a welcome new tool at the surgeon's disposal. The sequential use of heavy silicone oil followed by conventional silicone oil may be an acceptable management strategy in recurrent detachment.

A NEW HEAVY SILICONE OIL (HWS 46-3000) USED AS A PROLONGED INTERNAL TAMPONADE AGENT IN COMPLICATED VITREORETINAL SURGERY

To report the results of a prospective pilot study using a new heavy agent, HWS 46-3000, as long-term endotamponade in complicated retinal detachment. Thirty-two consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Indications for enrollment included retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy arising from inferior or posterior tears. The patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy, membrane peeling, and HWS 46-3000 filling. Follow-up examinations were scheduled at 1 day to 7 days and 1 month to 3 months after initial surgery and 7 days and 1 month to 6 months after endotamponade removal. At baseline examination, mean best-corrected Snellen visual acuity was 2.44 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR). HWS 46-3000 was removed after 45 days to 96 days. Initial retinal reattachment was achieved in all eyes. HWS 46-3000 endotamponade was associated with a success rate of 84.6% with a single surgery and an overall success rate of 100% at 6 months with the second operation and conventional silicone oil endotamponade. At 6 months, mean best-corrected visual acuity was +1.09 logMAR (P < 0.0001). Complications were posterior subcapsular cataract formation (100%), membrane formation (3 eyes, 9%), and increased intraocular pressure (1 eye). Emulsification and intraocular inflammation were not observed. HWS 46-3000 was well tolerated, effective in the inferior quadrants with a low incidence of membrane development. The main complication was the high rate of tamponade-related cataract formation.

Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of emulsified silicone oil RMN-3 (Oxane HD)

Background:Oxane HD is a mixture of 5700 cs silicone oil and RMN-3 (a partly fluorinated olefin), which has a specific gravity greater than water, thereby enabling endotamponade of inferior retinal...

Scleral buckling combined with vitrectomy for the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with inferior retinal breaks

The use of adjunctive scleral buckling during vitrectomy for retinal detachment associated with inferior breaks has been the recent focus of some debate. It has been suggested that any benefit might be outweighed by potential complications associated with buckling surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the success rate of vitrectomy, gas, and supplementary scleral buckling with the results of two recently published case series suggesting that acceptable results in inferior break detachments can be achieved with vitrectomy and gas alone. A retrospective analysis of 60 consecutive patients with inferior break retinal detachments was conducted. All patients underwent vitrectomy, gas, and scleral buckling. In all cases, fellow eyes were examined under anaesthesia for retinal breaks if posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) had occurred at the time of presentation. Demographics, preoperative, and postoperative complications and outcome were recorded. Primary retinal attachment at 3 months was achieved in 95% of patients. This exceeds success rates of published data of patients who underwent vitrectomy and gas without buckling (81-89%). In patients with PVD in the fellow eye, 53% had horseshoe tears and all were treated with cryopexy. No sight-threatening complications occurred, but five patients developed minor buckle-related complications postoperatively. Supplementary scleral buckling is a safe procedure that improves and enhances primary success rates in inferior break detachments over vitrectomy and gas without buckling. There is a high rate of PVD-related breaks requiring treatment in the fellow eyes.

Utilité du cerclage dans la chirurgie du décollement de rétine rhegmatogène à haut risque: étude rétrospective de 41 cas

360 degrees encirclement for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) was introduced over 50 years ago as a method for closing retinal breaks and relieving vitreous traction. In the absence of acknowledged guidelines, current usage varies widely. All 360 degrees encircling bands for RDs performed between 1999 and 2004 were reviewed. Encircling procedures for phakic and recurrent RDs were analysed. 41 encircling bands for RD were identified from the records of 875 RD cases. Median follow-up was 6 months (range: 1 - 36). Male patients accounted for 58.5 % of the procedures. Mean age was 51.51 +/- 15.97 years. 37/41 phakic and 18/41 recurrent RDs were encircled. RD recurrence in encircled eyes occurred in 42 % of phakic eyes and in 33 % of eyes re-operated for recurrent RD. At the time of recurrence, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) was present in 41.6 % of phakic eyes, and 66 % of recurrent RD eyes. Preoperative visual acuity (VA) was 0.26 and post-operative VA 0.34. Post-operative complications due to the encirclement included pain in 4 eyes, scleral abscess in 2 eyes and scleral necrosis in 1 eye. This small retrospective review highlights the multiple indications for encircling bands including PVR, inferior breaks, multiple breaks and myopia. High overall recurrence rate (34 %) reflects the selection bias of this procedure for severe disease in our series. There is currently no consensus on the use of this technique in the management of RD.

Décollement de rétine du pseudophake inférieur ou comportant des brèches inférieures: Résultats et récidives après vitrectomie-gaz en première intention

This study aims to evaluate the outcome of primary vitrectomy/gas for pseudophakic retinal detachment (RD) located inferiorly or associated to inferior breaks. We performed a retrospective, non-randomised study comprising 18 pseudophakic RD eyes with inferior RD (group A) and 19 pseudophakic RD eyes with inferior breaks (group B) treated with primary vitrectomy and gas tamponade (SF (6) 20 %). Pre- and postoperative characteristics were analysed, focusing on RD recurrences. In group A, RD recurred in 2/18 eyes (11 %) and was associated to proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) both at first intervention and on recurrence. In group B, RD recurred in 4/19 eyes (21 %). One eye presented PVR at first intervention and all at re-intervention. Anatomic reapplication was achieved after second vitrectomy/gas in 2/4 eyes of group B, whereas long-term silicon oil tamponade was needed in 2 eyes of each group. This series shows a high success rate of primary vitrectomy/gas in pseudophakic RD patients with inferior RD or detachment associated to inferior breaks. Recurrences after vitrectomy are most often related to the presence of PVR.

Tamponnement interne par huile de silicone lourde (Oxane Hd ®) dans les décollements de rétine complexes

To assess the efficacy and safety of a heavy silicon oil (a silicon oil-RMN3 mixture, a mixed fluorinated and hydrocarbonated olefin) as temporary internal tamponade in selected cases of retinal detachment with inferior breaks. Forty-six patients were operated on (inferior and/or posterior breaks: 38; proliferative vitreoretinopathy > or =C2: 18; anterior proliferative vitreoretinopathy: 14), with a mean follow-up of 39 months. Seventeen patients were operated on with a heavy silicon oil of a 1.03 g/cm3 density and 29 patients with a silicon oil of a 1.02 g/cm3 density. Heavy silicon oil was removed in 41 patients after a mean of 9.3 weeks. Anatomic success was achieved in 35 cases after a mean follow-up of 39 months. Recurrent retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy occurred in eight cases during heavy silicon oil tamponade. The removal was difficult in three cases with the 1.02 g/cm3 density silicon oil. Complications included glaucoma (eight eyes), major emulsification (two eyes), and an intraocular inflammation reaction to topical steroids (five eyes). Heavy silicon oil (Oxane Hd) is as safe and effective as standard silicon oil in the treatment of selected retinal detachment, but intraocular manipulations are quite difficult. A prospective study is necessary to compare the efficacy of Oxane Hd and standard silicon oil in selected cases of retinal detachment with inferior breaks and in cases of large inferior retinectomy.

Efficacité et tolérance de l′huile de silicone lourde dans la chirurgie du décollement de rétine

To evaluate the tolerance and efficacy of heavy silicone oil as internal tamponade for retinal detachment surgery. Sixty-six eyes requiring heavy silicone oil for retinal detachment, with at least 1 month follow-up, were retrospectively studied. Preoperative status, surgical technique, tolerance, and anatomical and functional results were analyzed from the patient's file. Indications for heavy silicone injection were inferior retinotomy or inferior retraction in 65% of cases. PVR grade C was present in at least 63% of cases. Retinotomy was performed in 45% of cases. An exchange procedure was performed versus DKline in 65% of cases. Mean follow-up was 7 +/- 4 months. At the end of follow-up, 59% of eyes had a completely reattached retina, 32% without internal tamponade. Another surgery was necessary in 54% of cases. During follow-up, mean intraocular pressure was normal, and there was a significant intraocular inflammation in three cases (4.5%). In seven cases of the 44 ablations of heavy silicone oil, an adherence of residual bubbles was present. Redetachment occurred after ablation for anatomical success in 41% of cases. BCVA was better than 0.05 (20/400) in 54% of cases at the end of follow-up. Heavy silicone was well tolerated and seems not to be pro-inflammatory in our study. It is a good alternative to standard silicone for inferior retinotomy and inferior breaks without PVR. It is not a treatment of inferior retraction, and is not a long-term internal tamponade. During the ablation of heavy silicone oil, adherence of residual bubbles is possible, in which case a coaxial light or an endoillumination could be needed during ablation.

Pneumatic Retinopexy for Inferior Retinal Breaks

To introduce a pneumatic retinopexy positioning for the management of retinal detachment from inferior retinal breaks after failed scleral buckle. Retrospective review of interventional consecutive case series. Seventeen eyes of 17 patients followed up from January 1993 to February 2005. Internal tamponade was achieved by 10 degrees Trendelenburg positioning, 10 degrees neck hyperextension, 10 degrees ocular supraduction and a large intravitreal gas bubble. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and retinal flattening were evaluated. All patients tolerated the procedure. Retinal reattachment was maintained in 15 of 17 patients (88.2%) followed up for a mean of 2.8 years (range, 0.1-11.5 years). Two patients experienced redetachment after 5 days and 4 months respectively. Six patients required antiglaucoma medications during the technique. Graduated body-neck-eye tilt allowed retinal reattachment in most eyes with inferior retinal detachment after failed scleral buckle.

Management of Inferior Breaks in Pseudophakic Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment With Pars Plana Vitrectomy and Air

To determine the role of pars plana vitrectomy without scleral buckling and air as a tamponade with 24 hours of prone positioning in the management of inferior breaks in primary pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. Fifteen consecutive eyes (15 patients) with primary pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with causative breaks located between the 4-o'clock and 8-o'clock positions underwent pars plana vitrectomy with air tamponade. The prone position was maintained for 24 hours. Anatomic and functional results are presented. The anatomic reattachment rate was 93.3% after 1 procedure and 100% at the 6-month visit. Mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/60 (range, 20/400 to 20/25) and mean postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/30 (range, 20/100 to 20/20). In 1 case the retina redetached at the second week because of an undetected break. Postoperative epiretinal membrane was observed in 1 case. Pars plana vitrectomy and air tamponade with only 24 hours of prone positioning postoperatively is effective in the management of primary pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with causative breaks between the 4-o'clock and 8-o'clock positions.

A pilot study on the use of silicone oil–RMN3 as heavier-than-water endotamponade agent

This work was conducted to report an interventional non-comparative pilot study using Oxane HD, a mixture of ultra-purified silicone oil and RMN3, a partially fluorinated olefin, as heavier-than-water internal tamponade. Twenty-eight consecutive patients were recruited for this study. Indications included recurrent retinal detachment (RD) with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) (stage > or =C2) arising from inferior or posterior tears, recurrences after vitreoretinal surgery, penetrating trauma and combined rhegmatogenous and choroidal detachment. The patients underwent a pars plana vitrectomy, membrane peeling, and Oxane HD was used as long-term internal tamponade. Oxane was removed after 88 days (range 45-96 days) and exchanged with BSS in five eyes, long-acting gas in 14 eyes and with silicone oil in nine eyes. Retinal reattachment was achieved in 15 eyes. The overall anatomical success rate obtained using Oxane HD was 53.5%. In 15 patients with previous marked scleral buckling, the success rate was 26%: in nine patients recurrent RD occurred in the inferior sector, in five patients new tears were detected in the lower sectors; membrane formation was observed in 15 eyes. In 13 patients without marked scleral indent, the success rate was 84.6%. There was no evidence of dispersion and excessive inflammation. Oxane HD may be a useful tool in complicated RD with large inferior breaks, inferior PVR or combined rhegmatogenous, and choroidal detachment without marked scleral buckling, which put the eye profile out of shape, led to a higher failure rate and reduced the tamponading effectiveness of Oxane HD.

Pars Plana Vitrectomy Alone for the Management of Inferior Breaks in Pseudophakic Retinal Detachment without Facedown Position

To introduce a new approach with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) alone and no facedown positioning in the management of pseudophakic retinal detachments (RDs) with inferior breaks. Prospective noncomparative interventional case series. Forty consecutive pseudophakic eyes of 40 patients with rhegmatogenous RD with causative inferior breaks. INTERVENTION OR METHODS: All eyes underwent PPV alone, with air as tamponade and with no facedown position in the postoperative period. The supine position was used in some cases for 30 minutes. Postoperative primary and final anatomical outcome, visual acuity (VA), and complications. Patients were observed for a minimum of 7 months (mean, 11.7). Primary retinal reattachment was obtained in 36 of 40 patients (90%). Final reattachment was obtained in 40 of 40 patients (100%). One patient (2.5%) developed proliferative vitreoretinopathy at the sixth week after surgery. Three patients (7.5%) redetached, presumably due to untreated breaks. Two patients (5%) developed a macular epiretinal membrane that required surgery. Mean preoperative best-corrected VA (BCVA) was 20/63 (range, hand movements [HM] to 20/20). Mean final BCVA was 20/33 (range, 20/200-20/20). Of the 16 eyes with a macula-attached rhegmatogenous RD, mean preoperative BCVA was 20/29 (range, 20/100-20/20). Mean postoperative BCVA was 20/30 (range, 20/60-20/20). Of the 24 eyes with macula-detached RDs, mean preoperative BCVA was 20/300 (range, HM to 20/40). Mean postoperative BCVA was 20/36 (range, 20/200-20/20). Visual acuity of 20/40 or better was seen in 17 of 24 eyes (70.8%). This pilot study provides evidence that the facedown posture after PPV is not necessary to achieve retinal reattachment in pseudophakic RD with inferior breaks.

Inverted pneumatic retinopexy: A method of treating retinal detachments associated with inferior retinal breaks

Purpose To introduce the new approach of inverted pneumatic retinopexy for the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with inferior retinal breaks. Design Retrospective, noncomparative case series. Participants Eleven patients presenting with rhegmatogenous retinal detachments with causative inferior retinal breaks. Intervention Sterile gas/air injection, cryopexy/laser retinopexy, with inverted positioning. Main outcome measures Postoperative primary and final anatomical outcome, visual acuity, and complications. Results Patients were followed for a minimum of 3 months (mean, 5.1 months). Primary retinal reattachment was obtained in 10 of 11(91%) patients. One patient sustained a redetachment secondary to proliferative vitreoretinopathy, resulting in a single operation reattachment rate of 82%. Final reattachment was obtained in 11 of 11 (100%) patients. Mean visual acuity improved about 3 lines from 20/60 to 20/30, with 11 of 11 patients experiencing improvement in their visual acuity. Two patients required an additional surgical procedure to achieve final anatomic success. No new breaks were identified in the postoperative period, and no complications resulted from the pneumatical procedure. Conclusions Inverted pneumatic retinopexy can successfully repair retinal detachments with inferior retinal breaks under appropriate conditions.

Spontaneous relieving retinotomies in diabetic silicone filled eyes

We describe in six patients the delayed occurrence of inferior tractional retinal detachments following epiretinal reproliferation 4 to 5 months after vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade for diabetic related retinal detachments. The epiretinal traction was spontaneously relieved by the occurrence of large inferior tension breaks which subsequently enlarged and coalesced to form retinotomies. This process appears to be relatively benign as it remains limited to the peripheral retina, and in all six patients the posterior retina has remained attached for a minimum of 12 months follow up, with improved central visual acuity.

Retinal reattachment by continuous vitreous insufflation.

Intraocular gas bubbles can occlude retinal breaks and lead to retinal reattachment, but inferior breaks can be difficult to occlude. We hypothesized that an automated air injector connected to the eye would progressively fill the vitreous cavity with a bubble and occlude all, even inferior, breaks. This technique, termed continuous vitreous insufflation, was applied in 30 eyes of 15 rabbits using an air pressure of 50 mm Hg. Thirteen study eyes underwent lensectomy, vitrectomy, and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment; 17 eyes did not. In each eye with a patent cannula, a bubble virtually filled the vitreous cavity within about 24 hours, and all detached retinas became reattached except those with large breaks. Because large bubbles should be effective in closing most breaks, continuous vitreous insufflation may enable high reattachment rates. Accordingly, this procedure may prove valuable in treating certain retinal detachments in humans, although there are obstacles to clinical application.

Pneumatic retinopexy. Surgical results.

We reviewed 55 consecutive cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated with pneumatic retinopexy. Eyes with inferior retinal breaks from the 4- to 8-o'clock positions or macular holes with retinal detachment were excluded. Forty-five eyes (82%) were reattached with one operation. Although ten operations failed, nine retinas were subsequently reattached surgically, a 98% overall reattachment rate. Thirty-three (92%) of 36 phakic eyes, eight (66%) of 12 pseudophakic eyes, and four (57%) of seven aphakic retinas were reattached with one operation. In macula-off cases, phakic patients tended to have greater improvement in visual acuity. New breaks occurred in six eyes (11%), five (83%) of which were pseudophakic or aphakic. The safety, efficacy, and indications for pneumatic retinopexy remain to be established by a randomized, controlled, prospective study.