25-Gauge Vitrectomy and Incomplete Drainage of Subretinal Fluid for the Treatment of Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anatomical and functional results of 25-gauge (G) vitrectomy with incomplete drainage of subretinal fluid for the treatment of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective, noncomparative interventional case series including 100 consecutive patients who underwent 25-G vitrectomy, incomplete drainage of subretinal fluid, cryolaser or endolaser, and SF6 gas tamponade for the treatment of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was performed.

RESULTS: Fifty-six percent of retinal detachments were macula-on and 44% were macula-off. Fifty-six percent of patients were phakic and 44% were pseudophakic. Primary anatomical success rate was 94%, and the final success rate was 100%. Mean preoperative visual acuity was 0.75 logMAR, and mean postoperative visual acuity was 0.39 log-MAR (P < .001).

CONCLUSION: Incomplete drainage of subretinal fluid during vitrectomy for the treatment of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment does not seem to influence the anatomical success rate. On the contrary, it minimizes the surgical maneuvers, thus reducing perioperative complications.