[The surgical treatment of retinal detachment by temporary balloon buckling: the late results, reasons for inefficacy and indications].

Retinal detachments were for the first time treated using inflatable balloons in 1979 by Lincoff et al. A characteristic feature of this method is simplicity and low traumatism. Up to the present time it was used in the treatment of retinal detachments with single breaks or groups of breaks altogether not surpassing equatorially one o'clock on the fundus. We suggest several new modifications of balloons and a method permitting widening of indications for application of this technique (double and sectorial balloon buckling, combination of this technique with drainage of subretinal fluid, prevention of balloon buckling dislocation). The efficacy of balloon buckling procedures in patients with retinal detachments and various stages of proliferative vitreoretinopathy was assessed. Extrascleral balloon buckling was carried out in 159 eyes of 156 patients, including those with somatic diseases and senile ones, with detachments of the retina. The results were followed up for 5 years. Early reattachment of the retina was attained in 134 eyes (84.3%). In remote period redetachments occurred in 20 eyes, complete attachment was attained in 71.7% of cases (114 eyes).