[Peripheral retinectomy in proliferative vitreoretinopathy].

In most cases of advanced proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) relief of anterior traction can be achieved by careful dissection of the vitreous base. In more complicated cases, a peripheral, usually inferior retinectomy is necessary. We have analyzed retrospectively 51 cases of advanced PVR, in which we performed a combined vitrectomy-silicone oil procedure with peripheral retinectomy. In 90% of the cases, the retinectomy was done during a reoperation. In 24 of 51 patients (47%) the crystalline lens could be preserved until removal of the silicone oil. At the end of follow-up (more than 6 months, mean 13 months), the retina was attached in 37 of 51 cases (72.5%) Reproliferation caused redetachment in 12 of the 14 failures. Reproliferation with renewed traction on the central retina frequently required revision with extension of the retinectomy, but in most eyes anterior traction could be managed successfully by this technique.