Transconjunctival retinopexy with active external drainage of subretinal fluid: a prospective pilot study of eight consecutive cases.
OBJECTIVE
To describe an alternative surgical technique for the management of retinal detachment with no or minimal proliferative vitreoretinopathy (grade B) using transconjunctival retinopexy with active external drainage of subretinal fluid.


METHODS
In a prospective, interventional study, eight consecutive patients with retinal detachment with no or minimal proliferative vitreoretinopathy (grade B) underwent transconjunctival retinopexy with active external drainage of subretinal fluid. Transconjunctival external drainage of subretinal fluid was achieved by using a 29 gauge needle placed in the subretinal space under indirect ophthalmoscopic monitoring. Active suction was performed (500 mmHg vacuum) using a vitrectomy line coupled to the needle. After retinal reattachment, cryotherapy was applied to the scleral region corresponding to the area of the retinal break(s).


RESULTS
In all cases there was retinal attachment at the end of surgery. Retinal redetachment occurred in four pseudophakic patients who then underwent pars plana vitrectomy. The four phakic patients maintained retinal attachment during follow-up (13-20 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Transconjunctival retinopexy with active external drainage of subretinal fluid represents a useful, faster, and cheaper alternative to scleral buckling for retinal detachments with no or minimal proliferative retinopathy in phakic patients and, unlike scleral buckling, is not associated with induced myopia.
Siqueira
Rubens Camargo
RC
Retina and Vitreous Specialized Center of HORP, Eye Hospital of Rio Preto, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil. rubenssiqueira@terra.com.br
Jorge
Rodrigo
R
Scott
Ingrid Ursula
IU
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001826:Body Fluids; D003228:Conjunctiva; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*