We reviewed 55 consecutive cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated with pneumatic retinopexy as a primary procedure and followed up for a minimum of 1 year. 40 eyes were phakic, 11 aphakic and 4 pseudophakic. 0.6 ml of sulfur hexafluoride were injected into 42 eyes, while 0.3 ml of perfluoropropane were introduced into 13. Transconjunctival cryotherapy was performed in 51 eyes, while light coagulation was used as retinopexy after the retina was reattached in the remaining 4 cases. Of the 55 eyes undergoing treatment, 46 (83.6%) retinas were reattached with one operation. The benefits, complications and disadvantages of the procedure are reported.