[Utility of cerclage surgery of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments: a retrospective study of 41 cases]].
BACKGROUND
360 degrees encirclement for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) was introduced over 50 years ago as a method for closing retinal breaks and relieving vitreous traction. In the absence of acknowledged guidelines, current usage varies widely.


METHODS
All 360 degrees encircling bands for RDs performed between 1999 and 2004 were reviewed. Encircling procedures for phakic and recurrent RDs were analysed.


RESULTS
41 encircling bands for RD were identified from the records of 875 RD cases. Median follow-up was 6 months (range: 1 - 36). Male patients accounted for 58.5 % of the procedures. Mean age was 51.51 +/- 15.97 years. 37/41 phakic and 18/41 recurrent RDs were encircled. RD recurrence in encircled eyes occurred in 42 % of phakic eyes and in 33 % of eyes re-operated for recurrent RD. At the time of recurrence, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) was present in 41.6 % of phakic eyes, and 66 % of recurrent RD eyes. Preoperative visual acuity (VA) was 0.26 and post-operative VA 0.34. Post-operative complications due to the encirclement included pain in 4 eyes, scleral abscess in 2 eyes and scleral necrosis in 1 eye.


CONCLUSIONS
This small retrospective review highlights the multiple indications for encircling bands including PVR, inferior breaks, multiple breaks and myopia. High overall recurrence rate (34 %) reflects the selection bias of this procedure for severe disease in our series. There is currently no consensus on the use of this technique in the management of RD.
Dang Burgener
N P
NP
Clinique Universitaire d'Ophtalmologie, Genève, Schweiz.
Pournaras
C J
CJ
Salzmann
J
J
D023802:Cerclage, Cervical / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012160:Retina / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome