Postoperative laser coagulation as retinopexy in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated with scleral buckling surgery: a prospective clinical study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate postoperative laser photocoagulation as retinopexy mode in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated with scleral buckling surgery.


METHODS
The authors conducted a prospective feasibility study of consecutive patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated with scleral buckling surgery and postoperative laser during an 18-month period with a minimal follow-up of 6 months. Outcome measures were total retinal reattachment and the occurrence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).


RESULTS
A total of 123 patients (124 eyes) were included in this study. Seventy-six percent were phakic and 24% were pseudophakic. Fifty percent presented with one horseshoe tear, 15% with multiple tears, 30% with round breaks, and 5% with no identifiable break. Ten percent presented with a vitreous hemorrhage and 25% with three or four quadrants of detached retina. Six patients had PVR C1. Twelve patients required a postoperative gas injection, five patients received an additional buckle, and five patients underwent a vitrectomy, in four because of PVR. In all patients the retina was fully reattached at the end of follow-up. Planned postoperative laser coagulation took place 1 day to 10 weeks (median 3(1/2) weeks) after buckling surgery. Buckling material was removed in three patients without redetachment.


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative laser coagulation is a feasible alternative retinopexy mode in scleral buckling surgery, with encouraging anatomical results and a low incidence of PVR.
van Meurs
Jan C
JC
Vitreoretinal Department, Rotterdam Eye Hospital, Schiedamsevest 180, 3011 BH Rotterdam, the Netherlands. janvanmeurs@cs.com
Feron
Eric
E
van Ruyven
Rutger
R
Mulder
Paul
P
Veckeneer
Marc
M
D003452:Cryosurgery; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D012160:Retina / Q000601:surgery*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000601:surgery*; D012591:Scleral Buckling; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy
D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride