SEQUENTIAL PNEUMATIC RETINOPEXIES FOR THE TREATMENT OF PRIMARY INFERIOR RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENTS WITH INFERIOR BREAKS: The Double-Bubble Approach.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a new approach of sequential pneumatic retinopexies for the management of inferior rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RD) with inferior breaks.

METHODS: Multicenter retrospective consecutive case series of inferior RDs caused by retinal breaks located within the inferior 4 clock hours treated with sequential pneumatic retinopexies, 24 to 48 hours apart. A total of 26 patients with inferior RDs secondary to one or more breaks between the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock meridians were included from September 2007 to February 2012.

RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 35.3 weeks. Anatomical success at 8 weeks was achieved in 65.4% of all patients (including those with giant retinal tear and patients with previous RD in the study eye). When excluding patients with giant retinal tear and previous RD in the study eye, the anatomical success rate increased to 70%. Overall, the mean visual acuity improved from 1.00 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/200) at baseline to 0.38 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/50) at last follow-up.

CONCLUSION: Sequential pneumatic retinopexy offers a new viable surgical option for the treatment of RDs secondary to inferior breaks.