25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with medium-term postoperative perfluoro-n-octane tamponade for inferior retinal detachment.

Background And Objective: To describe a series of patients with inferior retinal detachments managed with primary 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), 2 to 3 weeks of postoperative perfluoro-n-octane (MT-PFO) tamponade, and upright positioning followed by secondary PPV and PFO removal.

Patients And Methods: Interventional case series of 157 patients with inferior retinal detachments with and without proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Eyes were treated with 25-gauge PPV, endophotocoagulation, and MT-PFO tamponade. Patients underwent postoperative upright positioning followed by repeat PPV and PFO removal in a planned, staged procedure.

Results: Mean follow-up was 32 ± 4.6 months. Successful reattachment was achieved in 87.5% of 159 eyes. Main initial postoperative complications were persistent intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation in 34% (n = 54), excessive inflammation in 27% (n = 43), and PFO in the anterior chamber in 21% (n = 34). Additional complications occurring after PFO removal included cataract surgery in 16% (n = 22) of initially phakic eyes, redetachment in 13% (n = 21), and need for filtering surgery in 6% (n = 10). Logistic regression analysis revealed macula status (P = .003) and progression to filtering surgery (P = .001) as significant factors predicting visual outcome at 1-year follow-up.

Conclusion: MT-PFO tamponade and upright head positioning may be efficacious for inferior retinal detachment repair in patients unable to assume face-down postoperative positioning. Anatomic and visual outcomes are similar to previously described reattachment procedures. A characteristic granulomatous inflammatory reaction presents in some patients, but does not appear to leave long-term visual or anatomic sequelae. Persistent IOP elevation and progression to filtering surgery may occur in a small percentage of patients and portends a worse visual outcome.