Anatomic results and complications in a long-term follow-up of pneumatic retinopexy cases

Background: The use of pneumatic retinopexy is controversial because 1) int raocular gas could increase the risk of proliferate vitreoretinopathy and 2 ) it has been reported to achieve low rates of success after a single proce dure. Methods: A total of 219 consecutive cases of SF, pneumatic retinopexy were reviewed retrospectively. The follow-up period ranged from 2 to 5 years. Results: A total of 179 (81.73%) of 219 eyes were treated successfully with a single procedure. The success rate increased with reoperations to 98.89% . Preoperative factors related to primary failure or redetachment were apha kia or pseudophakia (P = 0.0058) and breaks localized on horizontal meridia (P = 0.0305). Cryopexy was significantly associated with failure (P = 0.00 07). A total of 31.05% of eyes showed early complications. The most frequen t incidence was delay in subretinal fluid reabsorption (36.76%), followed b y new breaks (26.47%). Late complications were observed in 6.84% of the eye s (six eyes with macular pucker, three with new retinal detachments, three with cataracts, and three with new breaks without detachment). Conclusions: Failures of pneumatic retinopexy were related to lens status, localization of the break, and cryopexy. The occurrence of early and late c omplications was similar to that in other procedures.