Prophylactic argon laser retinopexy prior to removal of silicone oil: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Removal of silicone oil following successful retinal detachment surgery is usually performed in an attempt to prevent the complications of silicone oil; however, removal of the oil may result in retinal redetachment.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether argon laser retinopexy, 3-6 weeks prior to the removal of silicone oil, reduces the rate of retinal detachment following silicone oil removal.


METHODS
A total of 31 eyes of 31 consecutive patients were followed up for a 12 month period after the removal of silicone oil. All patients had undergone retinal reattachment surgery resulting in a clinically attached retina with the absence of residual retinal traction prior to silicone oil removal. A study group of 15 of the 31 eyes received two rows of 360 degrees of peripheral argon laser retinopexy 3-6 weeks before removal of the silicone oil. The 16 eyes of the previous 16 consecutive patients, who underwent removal of silicone oil without argon laser retinopexy, were used as a control group.


RESULTS
In the study group 1 of 15 eyes (6.7%) redetached following the removal of silicone oil and 4 of 16 (25%) redetached in the control group during the 12 month follow-up period from operation.


CONCLUSIONS
Prophylactic argon laser retinopexy applied 3-6 weeks before the removal of silicone oil appears to reduce the retinal redetachment rate. A larger prospective randomised trial is needed to confirm these findings.
Tufail
A
A
Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK.
Schwartz
S D
SD
Gregor
Z J
ZJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D012827:Silicone Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D012827:Silicone Oils