Scleral buckle combined with intravitreal gas injection for retinal detachment without proliferative vitreoretinopathy after vitrectomy

Objective To assess the therapeutic effect of scleral buckling combined with intravitreal gas injection on non-proliferative vitreoretinopathy retinal detachment after vitrectomy.Methods The clinical data of 7 patients(7 eyes),with early non-proliferative vitreoretinopathy retinal detachment underwent scleral buckling procedure combined with intravitreal gas injection from January 2007 to December 2011,were retrospectively reviewed.All 7 eyes had fresh retinal redetachment without proliferative vitreo-retinopathy(PVR) or development of proliferative membrane.Peripheral limited retinal redetachment not involving macular occurred in 4 eyes and retinal redetachment involving macular limited in the up half in 3 eyes.During the procedure,the hole was directly localized and frozen and the silicon sponge was sutured and pressed in the corresponding site.Meanwhile 0.3~0.6 ml ml pure C_3F_8 gas was injected vertically into vitreous cavity at 4mm behind the limbus.ResultsThe operations were successful in all patients without any complications.Within the follow-ups,7 eyes achieved completely retinal reattachment.In 2 eyes without ideal formation of freezing plaque around the holes,the retinal holes were sealed after laser therapy in 5~10 d after operation.A small peripheral hole was found in another quadrant retinal and reattachment was not achieved in 1 eye 37 d after operation.The patients receive the procedure again,and reattachment was achieved.Conclusion Intravitreal gas injection combined with scleral buckling surgery is safe and effective for patients with early retinal detachment without proliferative vitreo-retinopathy after vitrectomy.