[Vitrectomy in proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Anatomical and functional results in 501 patients].

BACKGROUND

Modern vitreoretinal surgery allows a successful management of most cases of retinal detachment (RD) due to proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Failure of a vitrectomy in these cases is generally caused by a recurrence of PVR. Little is known about the postoperative 'life cycle' of proliferative cellular processes within the periretinal space. An adequate retreatment of PVR recurrences may improve the anatomical and functional results of a vitrectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The retrospective study comprises 501 consecutive eyes operated for non-diabetic traction RD. Conventional retinal surgery preceded the vitrectomy in 36% of the cases. PVR was staged according to the classification of the Retina Society (14) with supplemental stages for 'anterior loop' formation, epimacular and subretinal membranes. The mean follow up of 139 eyes with one single vitrectomy was 24.2 months. The time-course of recurrent PVR in 362 eyes (72%, mean follow-up 34.2 months) was analyzed. Silicone-oil tamponade was used in 343 (69%) eyes.

RESULTS

Recurrent PVR occurred predominantly within 1 to 9 months (median 1.8 mos) after vitrectomy. Latencies of recurrences did not differ significantly between PVR-C and D stages. Reattachment of the retina was achieved in about 85% of PVR-C and 70% of PVR-D stages. Anatomical results were better in non-traumatic RD cases. Final visual acuity of eyes operated since 1990 was 5/200 or better in 78% C-stages and 65% D-stages (follow-up of > or = 12 months). The final visual acuity was 20/100 or better in 33% of all PVR-C cases and 9.5% of all PVR-D cases. Significantly improved visual results were achieved in eyes operated with silicone oil tamponade, and in the later series of 279 eyes operated since 1990. The rate of postoperative total blindness was reduced from 16.7% before 1990 to 3.6% after 1990.

CONCLUSION

Blindness due to traction RD can be avoided by vitreoretinal surgery in about 75% of PVR-C and over 50% of PVR-D cases provided that PVR recurrences are detected early and treated adequately.