Buckle-related complications following surgical repair of retinal dialysis.
OBJECTIVE
To describe buckle-related complications following surgical repair of retinal dialysis.


METHODS
A retrospective study of 28 consecutive cryobuckle procedures for retinal detachments secondary to retinal dialysis is reported, with particular attention directed towards postoperative complications relating to the buckle. Stata 8 statistical software and Fisher's exact test were used to analyse the data.


RESULTS
Of the 28 cases, anatomic success was achieved with a single procedure in 26 cases (92.9%). Postoperative complications were seen in 20 cases (71.4%), with complications attributable to the buckle noted in 19 (67.9%). Buckle-related complications included exposure (7; 25%), strabismus (5; 17.9%), and infection (3; 10.7%). Surgical removal of the buckle was indicated in 13 cases (46.4%), typically within the first 6 postoperative months. Of these, the retina remained flat following removal of buckle in 12 cases (92.3%), whereas the retina redetached in one case (7.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Cryotherapy with explant is an effective primary procedure for the surgical repair of retinal detachment secondary to retinal dialysis. However, there is a high rate of postoperative complications relating to the buckle following this surgical approach, although the buckle can be safely removed without compromising the anatomic success of the primary surgery in the vast majority of cases.
James
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Waterford Regional Hospital, Waterford, Ireland. drmjames@hotmail.com
O'Doherty
M
M
Beatty
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods; D020878:Device Removal; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012591:Scleral Buckling / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D013285:Strabismus / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy