A new instrument to simplify encircling buckle placement.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe a new surgical instrument that simplifies 360° silicone band placement, alone or in combination with pars plana vitrectomy, for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. METHODS: The instrument has a straight shank and a curved component in the form of a partial helix, whose purpose is to encircle the perimeter of the eye globe below the rectus muscles. The distal tip of the helix is inserted through a small conjunctival incision in the superior temporal quadrant, and the shank is rotated 360° on its axis until the tip emerges from the insertion point. One end of the silicone band is sutured to the tip, and the instrument is rotated in the opposite direction until both ends of the band are positioned in the same scleral quadrant. The band is sutured to the sclera and the conjunctival incision is closed. Pars plana vitrectomy can then be performed using transconjunctival microincision techniques through the intact conjunctiva. RESULTS: Our experience using the instrument in more than 100 procedures has shown that the new technique considerably reduces surgical trauma: wide opening of the conjunctiva is obviated, there is little manipulation of the extraocular musculature, and only a few sutures are needed. The duration of the procedure is considerably shorter because of the smaller number of surgical maneuvers. CONCLUSION: We describe a new scleral technique facilitated by this surgical instrument, whose objective is safe and effective placement of an encircling silicone band with minimum trauma and a reduction in operating time.

One "8"-shaped scleral suture to treat rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a refined procedure of minimal scleral buckling.

The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of one "8"-shaped scleral suture of minimal scleral buckling (MSB) surgery without sub-retinal drainage for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treatment. Thirty patients (30 eyes) with RRD were recruited. Thirty eyes with RRD were repaired by one "8"-shaped scleral suture of minimal buckling without subretinal drainage by one surgeon. The refined MSB procedure is described. Reattachment time and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were observed. The age of the 30 patients ranged from 17 to 65 years (mean, 43.1 ± 8.6 years). The retinas of 19 eyes (63.3%) reattached within 12 h of the operations, and those of 11 eyes (67%) reattached within 72 h. The average time of follow-up was 10.4 ± 2.8 months. BCVAs were increased in 27 eyes (90%), whereas those of 3 eyes did not change. The mean preoperative BCVA was 0.738 ± 0.368 log minimal angle of resolution (MAR), and mean postoperative BCVA was 0.422 ± 0.278 logMAR, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The sponge for buckling in only one eye exposed from the conjunctiva was taken out, and the retina remained attached. In conclusion, an "8"-shaped scleral suture of MSB without sub-retinal drainage is an efficient procedure to treat selected RRD cases.

Pneumatic retinopexy: a case presentation [abstract]

Pneumatic retinopexy is an alternative to scleral buckling for surgical repair of selected retinal detachments. The anatomic success rate is comparable to scleral buckling but the morbidity is less and visual results are better with pneumatic retinopexy. The purpose of this paper is to caution that this procedure is associated with significant morbidity. I have presented the outcomes of two cases to highlight the challenges associated with the procedure and I am suggesting that for all its concerns, the procedure should not be used for simple retinal detachments as suggested by others but reserved for those with tears suitable for external buckling. (AU)