Incidence and prophylaxis of retinal detachment following pars plana vitrectomy

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of retinal detachment (RD) following pars plana vitrectomy and the efficacy of prophylactic means by cryoapplication central to the superior sclerotomies. Patients and Methods: From February 2002 to January 2005 a total of 2,298 eyes received a pars plana vitrectomy in our department. Excluding eyes with previous peripheral coagulation therapy, preexisting retinal detachment, and endophthalmitis 1,640 eyes could be reexamined at least 6 months after surgery (mean: 17 +/- 12 months). The incidence of RD was compared between two groups: one with intraoperative cryoapplication central to the superior sclerotomies (n=533) and one without any prophylactic treatment (n=1107). Results: A total of 66 rhegmatogenous RD occurred during the follow-up, 23 with prophylactic cryotherapy and 43 without. This difference does not reach the level of significance. Only a subgroup of eyes operated on for macular pucker and venous occlusions showed a strong trend to prove the efficacy of prophylactic cryotherapy (p=0.07). Comparing the first 934 surgeries performed with the last 706 the incidence of RD decreased from 5.25 to 2.41%. Conclusions: The incidence of RD could be decreased significantly during the period investigated. Cryoapplication at the superior sclerotomies failed to reach statistical significance in the total group, though the results in eyes in two special subgroups showed a strong trend towards a protective effect of cryoapplication (p=0.07). Other factors may have contributed to the reduction of RD after pars plana vitrectomy.