Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the outcomes of 25-gauge (25-G) pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with air tamponade for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).
Methods: This retrospective consecutive case series included 126 eyes of 125 patients with primary RRD who underwent 25-G PPV with air tamponade. The patients were followed up for at least 6 months following surgery. The main outcome measures were the primary and final anatomical success rates and postoperative complications.
Results: The mean age of the 125 patients (80 men and 45 women) was 53.7 ± 10.0 years. The mean follow-up period was 8.3 ± 2.2 months (range, 6-18 months). Twenty-four eyes (19.0%) presented with high myopia, and 13 eyes (10.3%) were pseudophakic. Of the 126 eyes, 37 (29.4%) had inferior breaks, 2 (1.6%) had choroidal detachment, and 86 (68.3%) had macular detachment. The single- and final-operation success rates were 96.0% and 100%, respectively. Postoperative complications included macular hole formation in two eyes. During follow-up, secondary cataract surgery was performed in 27 (23.9%) of the 113 phakic eyes.
Conclusion: 25-G PPV with air tamponade is effective and safe in treating selected patients with primary RRD with a high anatomical success rate.
Keywords: 25-gauge; Air tamponade; anatomical success; pars plana vitrectomy; primary retinal detachment; rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.