Results of surgical treatment performed in 48 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy are presented. The technique of excision and vitrectomy of the posterior cortex and neovascular membranes was used in a single act. The authors are inclined to believe that membranes can be more completely and with less bleeding removed using this technique than with the technique of circumcision and segmentation. The procedure was most frequently complicated by perioperative formation of posterior ruptures (13 patients) and peripheral ruptures (11 patients). All ruptures were treated by endolaser photocoagulation. Additional or panretinal photocoagulation was carried out when necessary. During the postoperative period, retina remained attached in 33 patients, whereas in 15 patients complications in terms of reproliferation and neovascular glaucoma occurred.