Gas Tamponade for Retinectomy in PVR-Related Retinal Detachments: A Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the anatomical and functional results in patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) treated with retinectomy and perfluoro-octane gas (C3F8) as a tamponade agent.

METHODS: 12 patients with inferior and anterior complicated PVR-related retinal detachment, who were treated with retinectomy, where C3F8 was used as the tamponade agent were examined. Primary outcome was the anatomical success, while visual acuity, existence of an epiretinal membrane (ERM) and intraocular pressure (IOP) postoperatively were secondary outcomes.

RESULTS: The primary success rate was 75% (mean follow-up of 9.8 months). Reoperation was needed on 25% of patients after the retinectomy procedure. Preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was poor due to macular involvement in all cases. BCVA was improved in three patients (25%), remained stable in 25% and deteriorated in 16.7%. Two patients were lost during the follow-up period. Postoperative ERM formation was noted in 33.3% of patients. One patient developed hypotony, while no other complications were observed.

CONCLUSION: Retinectomy with C3F8 as the tamponade agent provides anatomical and functional restoration at a 75% primary success rate in PVR-related retinal detachment.