An analysis of the outcomes for patients with failed primary vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Scleral Buckle Removal: Long-Term Patient Outcomes

PURPOSE

Scleral buckling has been a reliable treatment option in the repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Occasionally, patients require scleral buckles (SBs) to be removed for various reasons. While outcomes of SB removal have been investigated in this subset of patients, there has not been any large patient series to reach any conclusions. Long-term sequelae of SB removal are debated in the literature, specifically around the risk of redetachment.

DESIGN

We performed a retrospective, observational study to evaluate the clinical indications for, and outcomes of, SB removal.

PARTICIPANTS

No control patients in this retrospective, observational study.

METHODS

Eighty-six individuals with a history of SB removal from June 1, 2000, to January 1, 2021, were followed from a large academic center and a private, retina-only practice in Chicago. Exclusion criteria were age of < 18 years and unplanned or self-explanted SB removal.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Data extracted included patient symptoms before SB removal, indications for removal, resolution of symptoms following removal, rate of redetachment, and rate of additional ocular surgery. Secondary outcomes included identifying factors associated with poorer outcomes.

RESULTS

Eighty-six eyes with history of SB removal were included with an average follow-up of 4 years. Approximately 60% were males and the mean age at the time of SB removal was 59 years. Leading indications for removal were exposure (61.63%), infection (20.93%), and diplopia/strabismus (19.77%). The average time from SB placement to removal was 12.28 ± 11.16 years. Most patients requiring SB removal presented with symptoms, specifically of pain and discomfort (65.12%), diplopia (22.09%), and drainage/discharge (18.60%). Of these patients, 86.59% experienced symptom resolution following SB removal. Notably, 6.56% (4 eyes) of all eyes with at least 1 year of follow-up experienced a redetachment requiring surgery. Within this subset, the average time from SB placement to removal was 2.05 ± 2.01 years and time to redetachment following removal was 15.95 ± 25.71 months. Nine percent of all eyes required additional strabismus or oculoplastic surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Scleral buckle removal provides a high rate of symptomatic relief and low risk of subsequent detachment. Nevertheless, close monitoring is warranted to monitor for recurrent retinal detachments.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Stratifying the risk of re-detachment: variables associated with outcome of vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in a large UK cohort study

INTRODUCTION

To identify variables associated with primary anatomical outcome following vitrectomy and internal tamponade for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data, using a database of RD treated with vitrectomy and internal tamponade. Collected data complied with the RCOphth Retinal Detachment Dataset. The main outcome measure was anatomical failure within six months of surgery.

RESULTS

There were 6377 vitrectomies. 869 eyes were excluded, either because no outcome was recorded, or inadequate follow up, leaving 5508 operations for analysis. 63.9% of patients were male, and the median age was 62. Primary anatomical failure occurred in 13.9%. On multivariate analysis, the following were associated with increased risk of failure: age <45, or >79, inferior retinal breaks, total detachment, one quadrant or greater inferior detachment, low density silicone oil, and presence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. C2F6 tamponade, cryotherapy, and 25 G vitrectomy, were associated with reduced risk of failure. The area under the receiver operator curve was 71.7%. According to this model, 54.3% of RD are at low risk (<10%), 35.6% are at moderate risk (10-25%), and 10.1% are at high risk (>25%) of failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Previous attempts to identify high risk RD have been limited by small numbers, the inclusion of both scleral buckling and vitrectomy, or by excluding some types of RD. This study examined outcomes in unselected RD, treated by vitrectomy. Identification of the variables associated with anatomical outcome after RD surgery enables accurate risk stratification, which is valuable for patient counselling and selection, and for future clinical trials.

Retinal surgery quality indicators for uncomplicated primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment without a national registry

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the possibility of analysing quality indicators for uncomplicated primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in a hospital department of ophthalmology without the support of a national registry or need to collect data from referring ophthalmological centres.

METHODS

In 2014, we operated 231 consecutive eyes with uncomplicated retinal detachment. Our quality indicators were primary anatomical success, final anatomical success and postoperative endophthalmitis. We reviewed medical records in our university surgical department retrospectively and compared them with medical records from the regional hospitals that had referred most of the operated patients and done their own postoperative examination. Our hypothesis was that any retinal re-detachment and/or serious postoperative complication would be reported back.

RESULTS

The medical records at the surgical department revealed primary anatomic success for 91.3% of eyes and final anatomical success of 99.6%. The data from the regional hospitals confirmed that our hypothesis was correct. All patients with adverse outcomes were referred back for reoperation. Patients who were not referred again had an attached retina and showed no signs of endophthalmitis.

CONCLUSION

Our hypothesis that data in the surgical department's medical records would closely reflect those in referring hospitals was borne out. This supports, under current conditions, an effective strategy for analysing chosen quality indicators without relying on a national registry or reviewing records from regional hospitals.

Recurrent retinal detachment after pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

BACKGROUND

The recurrence of retinal detachment following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a relatively common complication that can lead to reduced visual acuity and requires further surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors and visual outcomes of recurrent RRD following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicone oil tamponade for primary RRD.

METHODS

This was a retrospective follow-up study of 343 eyes that underwent initial PPV surgery with silicone oil tamponade for primary RRD. Patients were divided into a recurrence group and a reattachment group. The main outcome measures included causative factors, visual outcomes related to the recurrence of RRD, and the perioperative factors most affecting the recurrence of RRD.

RESULTS

After retinal reattachment, we observed RRD recurrence after PPV for primary RRD in 42 out of 343 eyes (12.2%) during the follow-up period. Most causes of recurrence (69%) occurred within 6 months of surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a PVR ≥ Grade C (odds ratio [OR]: 4.015; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.721-9.367; P = 0.001) was a significant predictor for the development of recurrent RRD. Compared with the reattachment group, the recurrence group exhibited a significant decline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the last follow-up visit (P = 0.000). Eyes with PVR prior to primary surgery, or at the diagnosis of re-detachment, showed a worse final BCVA.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis shows that the predominant risk factor for the recurrence of RRD is a PVR ≥ Grade C. PVR prior to primary surgery, or at the diagnosis of re-detachment, was also shown to limit the recovery of final visual acuity.

Time to Unplanned Return to the Operating Room and Associated Risk Factors in Patients With Surgical Retinal Detachment Repair

PURPOSE

To assess the incidence of unplanned return to the operating room (ROR) at ≤45 days or ≥46 days after primary retinal detachment (RD) surgery and correlate ROR with preoperative risk factors and visual outcomes.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of patients with primary RD surgery to assess for unplanned ROR between January 1, 2012 and June 30, 2014, with follow-up of 90 days to 8 years (mean, 1.5 years). We assessed 268 patients receiving 270 primary rhegmatogenous RD surgeries between January 1, 2012 and June 30, 2014 in an academic tertiary referral center.

RESULTS

Of the 270 RD surgeries, 82 were complicated (history of proliferative vitreoretinopathy or trauma-related RDs at presentation) and 188 were uncomplicated (RD unrelated to trauma or proliferative vitreoretinopathy at presentation). The ROR rate for all surgeries was 12.2% (33/270) over the follow-up period, with 51.5% (17/33) having reoperations within 45 days. The complicated detachment group had a ROR rate of 14.6% (12/82) over the follow-up period, and 50% of those (6/12) had reoperations within 45 days. The uncomplicated detachment group had a ROR rate of 11.2% (21/188) over the follow-up period. Of those, 52.4% (11/21) had reoperations within 45 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Given that only 51.5% of all RORs occurred within 45 days, a 45-day ROR surgical quality metric that has been previously used may be of limited value for RD surgery. Factors such as age at presentation, number of retinal breaks, number of detached clock hours, use of silicone oil tamponade for pars plana vitrectomy, history of choroidal detachment, high myopia, ocular trauma, and open globe were associated with increasing risk of ROR. Implementing risk-adjusted metrics may provide a more accurate and useful quality improvement metric for evaluating quality of surgical care in vitreoretinal surgery. Am J Ophthalmol 2021;221:•••-•••. © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Four Cases of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment That Recurred More than 10 Years after Initial Reattachment by Pars Plana Vitrectomy

Purpose

The purpose of this report was to present our findings in 4 cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) that recurred 10, 11, 12, and 17 years after a reattachment surgery by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

Methods

Four cases of a recurrent RRD had undergone scleral buckling surgery and vitrectomy.

Patients

The recurrence of the RRD was observed 10-17 years after the successful attachment by PPV. The macula was detached in all cases, and none of the eyes had severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy. The cause of the recurrence was a new retinal break in 3 eyes and a reopening of an old retinal break in the other eye. The new breaks had a punched-out shape and had neither a horseshoe tear nor an atrophic hole associated with lattice degeneration. PPV combined with scleral buckling was performed, and a reattachment was achieved in all cases. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the last visit ranged from 20/30 to 20/25, but the BCVA in 1 eye was 20/200 because of amblyopia.

Conclusions

We experienced 4 rare cases of a recurrent retinal detachment 10-17 years after the primary RRD. PPV and scleral buckling were effective and the anatomical and the functional outcomes were good.

Outcomes of Vitrectomy Combined with Scleral Buckling for Eyes with Early Recurrence of Simple Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Previously Treated by Pars Plana Vitrectomy

Purpose

To investigate the outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with scleral buckling (SB) in treating eyes with an early recurrent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (rRRD).

Methods

This was a retrospective, interventional case series of 21 eyes with an early rRRD treated by PPV combined with SB. The significance of the associations between the variants before the surgeries and the final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was determined.

Results

The average age of the patients was 61.0 ± 9.6 years. A retinal reattachment was observed in 20 of 21 eyes (95.2%) after a single reoperation. The BCVA was 0.91 ± 0.90 logMAR units before the initial surgery and 0.94 ± 0.94 logMAR units before the reoperations, and it improved significantly to 0.49 ± 0.50 logMAR units after the reoperation (P = 0.016, P = 0.002, respectively). The preoperative BCVA was significantly correlated with the final BCVA (P = 0.043, r = 0.445 before the primary surgery; P < 0.001, r = 0.885 before reoperation).

Conclusions

The reattachment of an early recurrent retinal detachment by PPV with SB is effective.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF OPHTHALMOLOGISTS' NATIONAL DATABASE STUDY OF VITREORETINAL SURGERY: Report 7, Intersurgeon Variations in Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Failure

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To audit variations in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) anatomical failure rates between surgeons, grades of surgeons, and techniques of RD surgery.

METHODS

Clinical data of a total of 5,857 eyes undergoing primary RD surgery, from 2000 to 2013 were retrospectively extracted from 15 centers using the same commercially available electronic medical record system, from three vitreoretinal units using an in-house electronic medical record, and from the British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons online registry.

RESULTS

The 5,857 primary RD operations were performed by 117 surgeons: 3,349 (57.2%) by consultants, 520 (8.9%) by independent nonconsultants, and 1,988 (33.9%) by trainees. Surgery comprised pars plana vitrectomy for 4,666 (79.7%) operations, scleral buckle for 815 (13.9%), and pars plana vitrectomy + scleral buckle for 376 (6.4%). The RD reoperation rate at 6 months after primary surgery was 13.9% (725/5,202) and did not differ significantly between consultants and trainees (P = 0.382). For surgeons contributing ≥50 cases, the mean (range) reoperation rates were 13.1% (6.7%-26.8%), 15.1% (11.3%-18.2%), and 15.3% (9.4%-22.1%) for consultants, independent nonconsultants, and trainee surgeons, respectively. The scleral buckle failure rate was not significantly different from pars plana vitrectomy (P = 0.095). Data were not adjusted for case-mix complexity.

CONCLUSION

The grades of surgeons and the technique of surgery were not associated with a significant difference in primary unadjusted RD failure rates.

RISK OF MULTIPLE RECURRING RETINAL DETACHMENT AFTER PRIMARY RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR

PURPOSE

To evaluate functional and anatomical outcomes of patients with retinal redetachments (re-RD) after surgery for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

METHODS

Medical records of eyes with re-RD after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery between 1999 and 2014 at the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Germany, were retrospectively evaluated. Data included preoperative and postoperative clinical findings, best-corrected visual acuity, presence and grade of proliferative vitreoretinopathy, surgical procedures, and complication rates.

RESULTS

Three hundred and twenty-eight eyes of 2,457 developed a re-RD (13.3%). Of these 328 eyes, 242 eyes (73.8%) had only one re-RD, whereas 86 eyes (26.2%) had 2 or more re-RDs. Visible presence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy during first redetachment surgery increased risk of re-RD with relative risk ratio of 1.46 (P = 0.05). Best-corrected visual acuity deteriorated with every additional re-RD (P < 0.001). Two hundred and thirty-seven eyes received oil endotamponde at least once. In 91 cases, oil endotamponade was left for long-term until last follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Multiple re-RD (≥2 re-RDs) is an infrequent complication after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery. After a first re-RD occurred, risk for multiple re-RD doubles compared with the risk of a first redetachment. Mean functional outcome is unfavorable, whereas predictability remains nevertheless poor because of the wide range of interindividual postoperative best-corrected visual acuity.

A retrospective study comparing outcomes of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair by scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy in Finland

Background

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is the most common form of retinal detachment and an ophthalmic emergency. Here, we compared outcomes of primary RRD eyes operated with conventional scleral buckling (SB) with cryoretinopexy to those operated with standard pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

Methods

This is an institutional, retrospective, register-based, observational, comparative study. Based on the surgical procedure, 319 eyes of 319 patients were divided into two groups: SB plus cryotherapy (n=50) and PPV (n=269). Changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were recorded at 30 days and reoperation rates within 180 days postoperatively.

Results

Eyes operated with PPV had less reoperations within the first 180 days as compared with SB eyes (P=0.001, log-rank test); however, changes in IOP were more prominent (mean ± standard deviation: +8.1±8.8 vs. +4.4±7.0 mmHg, respectively; P=0.006). Changes in BCVA did not differ between the surgical procedures.

Conclusion

PPV was associated with higher primary anatomic success rates and lower risk of reoperation but significant IOP elevation when compared to SB. These factors should be case-specifically considered when choosing treatment modality for primary RRD.

Pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade in failed scleral buckle surgery

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes of secondary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) after failed scleral buckling (SB) surgery and to compare it with primary PPV for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), including complicated proliferative vitreoretinopathy cases.

DESIGN

Retrospective series in a tertiary care centre.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and twenty consecutive patients.

METHODS

The medical records of patients who underwent PPV with silicone oil tamponade for RRD were reviewed. Forty-four eyes were operated on for primary RRD (primary PPV group), and 76 eyes were operated on for failed SB surgery (secondary PPV group). The single-operation anatomical success rate, final anatomical success rate, and best-corrected visual acuity preoperatively, at 6 months, at 1 year, and at final follow-up were analyzed.

RESULTS

The single-operation anatomical success rate was 74.2% in the primary PPV group and 77% in the secondary PPV group (p = 0.48). The final anatomical success rate was 90.3% in the primary PPV group and 91.8% in the secondary PPV group (p = 0.55). The number of cases with visual acuities of 3 visual categories (20/50 or better, 20/200 to 20/50, less than 20/200) was not statistically different at each time point.

CONCLUSIONS

Consequent PPV with silicone oil tamponade for failed SB surgery seems not to have inferior anatomical and functional outcomes when compared with primary PPV for RRD.

Vitrectomy with and without encircling band for pseudophakic retinal detachment: VIPER Study Report No 2-main results

Background

It is unclear whether or not an additional encircling band improves outcome in vitrectomy for pseudophakic retinal detachment (PRD). Also unclear is whether small gauge transconjunctival trocar-guided vitrectomy is as successful as conventional 20 gauge (G) vitrectomy.

Methods

257 adult patients with uncomplicated PRD were enrolled in 14 vitreoretinal centres across Germany. Contingent on availability of qualified surgeons, eligible patients were randomly assigned either (i) with ratio 1:1 to 20 G vitrectomy plus encircling band (group E1) or 20 G vitrectomy without any buckle (group C) or (ii) with ratios 1:1:1 to group E1, C or 23/25 G vitrectomy without any buckle (group E2). Treatment success was defined as no indication for any retina reattaching procedure during the follow-up of 6 months.

Results

Success was reached in 79.0% (=79/100, group E1) versus 73.5% (=72/98, group C) (p=0.558, OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.65 to 2.65. In group E2 87.7% (=50/57) of patients reached success compared with 78.7% (=48/61) in group C, demonstrating non-inferiority of E2 to C regarding the prespecified margin of 0.8 (OR scale; p=0.05, OR 2.17, 95% CI 0.80 to 5.89). Best corrected visual acuity significantly increased after surgery independent of technique, that is, on average −0.7 (from 1.0 to 0.3) logMAR. Patients suffered from a shift in spherical refraction of −1.0 D in group E1 compared with −0.1 D in group C. Similarly, intraoperative complications (15.2% vs 8.8% of patients) and serious adverse events (30.3% vs 22.5% of patients) were more frequent in group E1.

Conclusions

Vitrectomy with gas is an efficient and safe treatment for uncomplicated PRD. An additional encircling band does not significantly reduce the risk for any second procedure necessary to reattach the retina in 20 G vitrectomy. Small gauge transconjunctival vitrectomy is not inferior to the conventional 20 G technique.

Trial registration number

DKRS 00003158, Results.

Success Rates of Vitrectomy in Treatment of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Aim. To investigate the anatomical success rates of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) after primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods. This retrospective study was conducted between December 2008 and October 2014 at Nagasaki University Hospital. The preoperative data recorded included the lens status, location of the retinal tear, whether a tear was visualized, presence of multiple tears, macula status, presence of peripheral lattice retinal degeneration, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The primary outcome measures were anatomical (primary and final) and functional success (visual acuity better than 6/60). Results. This study evaluated 422 eyes of 411 patients with a mean age of 57.7 ± 11.2 years. The single-operation reattachment rate (primary anatomical success) was 89.8%. The final anatomical success rate was 100% after 2–6 operations (mean = 3.14 ± 1.03). Functional success rate after the primary reattachment operation was 96.7%, while it was 97.2% at the end of the follow-up. Multiple logistic regression analysis of the possible risk factors for the primary anatomical failure showed a significant relation with the 25 G instruments (P = 0.002) and the presence of multiple tears (P = 0.01). Conclusion. The primary anatomical success of PPV for primary uncomplicated RRD was 89.8% and the final anatomical success rate was 100%.