Rescue pneumatic retinopexy for recurrent retinal detachments due to superior retinal breaks following initial vitrectomy.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of pneumatic retinopexy (PnR) for a recurrent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) due to superior retinal breaks following initial vitrectomy for a RRD.

Study design: Clinical investigations.

Methods: A retrospective study of 82 eyes of 82 patients who underwent vitrectomy by a single surgeon between November 2021 and March 2023. PnR was performed on 4 (4.9%) of 11 eyes that developed a recurrent RD. The PnR procedure involved injecting sulfur hexafluoride gas into the vitreous cavity while the patient was in the lateral or in the supine position. The patient was placed in the prone position after the injection, and then laser photocoagulation was performed.

Results: A retinal reattachment was achieved in all four eyes that underwent rescue PnR. The gas infusion volume during the PnR was 4.3 to 5.6 ml for cases in which PnR was performed in the lateral position and 1.0 ml for a case in the supine position. The duration of the gas tamponade was 15 to 21 days for patients who had PnR in the lateral position and 11 days for patients who had PnR in the supine position. The best-corrected visual acuity after the treatment improved in all patients. No serious complications were associated with the PnR.

Conclusion: The results indicate that rescue PnR may be an effective treatment for a recurrent RRD due to superior retinal breaks after vitrectomy for a RRD to achieve retinal reattachment without reoperation or hospitalization.