Twenty-three-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, Densiron-68, and 360° endolaser versus combined 20-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, scleral buckle, and SF6 for pseudophakic retinal detachment with inferior retinal breaks.

PURPOSE

To compare the anatomical and functional outcomes of 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with Densiron-68 tamponade and 360° endolaser versus 20-gauge PPV with encircling scleral buckling (ESB) and an SF6 gas tamponade for the repair of primary pseudophakic retinal detachment with inferior retinal breaks.

METHODS

Prospective, randomized, comparative, interventional study. Eighty-two eyes of 82 consecutive patients were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 treatment groups: 23-gauge PPV/Densiron-68 (44 eyes, 54%) or 20-gauge PPV/ESB/SF6 (20%) (38 eyes, 46%). The inclusion criterion was the presence of primary pseudophakic retinal detachment with at least 1 retinal break between the 4- and 8-o'clock positions. The study protocol involved a minimum of 7 visits: baseline, day of surgery, 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, and 9 months postoperation. Densiron-68 removal was performed within 12 weeks of the initial surgery. Two surgical procedures were required in the Densiron group to remove the oil.

RESULTS

After the primary procedure, the retina was reattached in 90% (40 of 44) of cases in the 23-gauge PPV/Densiron group and in 92% (35 of 38) of cases in the 20-gauge PPV/ESB/SF6 group (P = 0.2, Fisher's exact test). After resolution of redetachments, final anatomical success rate rose to 97% (43 of 44) in the 23-gauge PPV/Densiron group and 94% (36 of 38) in the 20-gauge PPV/SB/SF6 group (P = 0.32, Fisher's exact test). Mean final best-corrected visual acuity (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) was 0.40 in the 23-gauge PPV/Densiron group and 0.48 in the 20-gauge PPV/ESB/SF6 group (P = 0.31, t-test). Operative time was significantly less in the 23-gauge PPV/Densiron group (P = 0.002, t-test). No statistically significant difference in the complication rate between the two groups was recorded.

CONCLUSION

Twenty-three-gauge PPV combined with Densiron-68 and 360° endolaser and 20-gauge PPV combined with ESB/SF6 seemed to have similar efficacy in the repair of primary pseudophakic retinal detachment. Supplementary scleral buckling can be avoided using a Densiron-68 tamponade for retinal detachment with inferior retinal breaks.