INNOVATIVE MULTIPLANAR RECONSTRUCTION AND VOLUME-RENDERED COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF SCLERAL BUCKLE-RELATED COMPLICATIONS.

PURPOSE: To describe the role of multiplanar reconstruction and three-dimensional volume-rendered imaging in the assessment of silicon-based scleral buckle (SB)-related complications. METHODS: Five eyes of five patients with SB-related complications where the history, surgical notes, and clinical examination proved inconclusive were included. Unenhanced axial orbital computed tomography images of all patients were acquired parallel to orbitomeatal line, and images were reviewed in orthogonal planes. The volume rendition of the imaged volume was evaluated in various tilts, with special reference to the spatial relationship of the band-buckle to the globe and bony orbit. All patients underwent imaging-assisted SB removal. RESULTS: Imaging assisted in in vivo localization of the obscure band or buckle in all five eyes. Band was seen as hyperdense structure encircling whole of the globe, whereas buckle was seen as segmental, broad, hyperdense structure with scleral indentation. Presence of SB was identified in three patients, and globe integrity was shown in the other two. Abnormal anterior displacement of band and buckle was demonstrated in three cases on volume-rendered imaging in relation to lateral orbital rim. Focal exuberant soft-tissue proliferation around the buckle was present in all patients, suggesting chronic inflammation and infection. Successful removal of band and buckle could be achieved, and all patients were relieved of their preoperative complaints. No complication occurred during intraoperative and postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Use of multiplanar reconstruction and three-dimensional volume-rendered computed tomography imaging played a pivotal role in surgical success.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery in elderly people over 70 years old: visual acuity, quality of life, and cost-utility values.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery on elderly patients in terms of visual acuity, vision-related quality of life and its cost-effectiveness. METHODS: Elderly patients over 70 years old, who were diagnosed and underwent RRD surgery at Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, from January 1, 2009, through January 1, 2013. The participants received scleral buckling surgery and vitreous surgery with or without scleral buckling under retrobulbar anesthesia. We followed the patients for 1 year and collected best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), vision-related quality of life, and direct medical costs data. Utility values elicited by time-trade-off were analyzed to determine the quality of life. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained in life expectancy were calculated and discounted at 3% annually. Costs per QALY gained were reported using the bootstrap method. Further analyses were made for two age groups, age 70-79 and age over 80 years. Sensitivity analyses were performed to test stability of the results. RESULTS: 98 patients were included in the study. The BCVA significantly improved by 0.53±0.44 (Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (logMAR)) at the 1-year postoperative time point (p<0.001). Utility values increased from 0.77 to 0.84 (p<0.001), and an average of 0.4 QALYs were gained in the life expectancy. Costs per QALY gained from the RRD surgery were 33,186 Chinese Yuan (CNY) (5,276 US dollars (USD))/QALY; 24,535 CNY (3,901 USD)/QALY for the age group of 70-79 years and 71,240 CNY (11,326 USD)/QALY for the age group over 80 years. CONCLUSIONS: RRD surgery improved the visual acuity and quality of life in the elderly patients over 70 years old. According to the World Health Organization's recommendation, at a threshold of willingness to pay of 115,062 CNY (18,293 USD)/QALY, RRD surgery is cost effective in the elderly patients.

Scleral buckling surgery and eye pain: assessment of chronic eye pain during the postoperative period of scleral buckling surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess the progression of eye pain after scleral buckling surgery to treat rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and to investigate the occurrence and characteristics of chronic eye pain. METHODS: This was a longitudinal, prospective, and observational study. Eye pain was measured according to a numerical analog scale (range, 0-10) for 6 months after scleral buckling surgery. The sample was divided into two groups, with or without chronic eye pain, to perform statistical analyses. For this study, chronic eye pain was defined as postoperative pain beyond 30 days. The following variables were assessed to investigate the etiology of chronic eye pain: age, gender, ethnicity, degree of myopia, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and degree of scleral indentation. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were assessed in this study. One particular sequence of levels on the pain analog scale, specifically 3-2-1-0-0 (intensity of eye pain on postoperative Days 1, 14, 30, 60, and 180, respectively), was identified more frequently during the progression of eye pain in the 180-day follow-up period. The pain resolved for 72% of patients within 30 days. Chronic eye pain occurred in 18% of the patients. Scleral indentation was the only statistically significant variable investigated relative to the etiology of chronic eye pain (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chronic eye pain correlated significantly with large scleral indentation. Patients with more intense pain at the onset of the postoperative period tended to develop chronic eye pain.

Learning curve of the scleral buckling operation: lessons from the first 97 cases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To provide an insight into the learning curve associated with scleral buckling surgery for an ophthalmologist on a fellowship course and to evaluate risk factors affecting outcomes during this period. METHODS: Retrospective data were collected on 97 consecutive scleral buckling procedures (divided into 3 consecutive groups) performed by one surgeon (W.C.) beginning his first fellowship year. We evaluated the anatomic results, operative times and complications, and sought to identify risk factors of anatomic failure. RESULTS: The single-operation success rate was 71.9% (23 of 32 eyes) in the first group, which was lower than 87.5% (28 of 32 eyes) in the second and 84.8% (28 of 33 eyes) in the third. The operative time was 106.3 min in the first, which is longer than 86.5 min in the second and 73.8 min in the third group. Factors predictive of unfavorable anatomic outcome were multiple breaks and multiple buckling procedures in the first 32 cases, and multiple breaks and breaks located posterior to the equator in the latter 65. CONCLUSION: Surgical experience of approximately 30 cases was required to achieve stable clinical results. Thus, a retinal surgeon at the beginning of his career may increase his success rate by careful case selection avoiding high-risk groups until he reaches the level of experience indicated by the learning curve.