Long-standing retinal detachments--the role of internal tamponade.

Internal tamponade with gases or silicone-oil is useful in the management of long-standing retinal detachments complicated by retinal folds, posterior breaks or PVR and to close breaks after vitrectomy. Such complications and the needs for vitrectomy are particularly common in cases of persistent or recurrent long-standing detachment after unsuccessful retinal reattachment surgery.