The survival analysis and feasibility study of Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV) in the treatment of retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE

To analyze the safety and efficacy of Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV) as a treatment for retinoblastoma patients and to evaluate the feasibility.

METHODS AND PATIENTS

We collected 342 eyes who had PPV after systemic chemotherapy in our retrospective study, then analyze the 5-year overall survival and 5-year event-free survival rate, recurrence rate, and metastasis rate. The above data were used to evaluate the feasibility of PPV in the treatment of retinoblastoma.

RESULTS

The mean value of follow-up time was 62.9 months from PPV. Of all 342 eyes, 18% eyes underwent enucleation of the eyeball. Excluding Non-PPV related deaths eyes, the 5-year overall survival rates and event-free survival were 95% and 80%; the tumor recurrence rate and metastasis rate were approximately 26% and 1.2%, respectively; the mortality was 3.9%. And the incidence of high-risk pathological factors of enucleated eyes after PPV was 32%.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that Pars Plana Vitrectomy as a new approach to preserve the eyeball of RB children is feasible, especially for those patients who cannot be completely controlled by systemic chemotherapy or the tumors with vitreous seeds. Although the outcomes in our study are very optimistic, we also recommend an experienced eye surgeon to perform the operation and strictly control the indications for PPV surgery. And enough systemic chemotherapy is very important before and after surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Treatment study (Retrospective comparative study), III.