George F. Hilton

The Classification of Retinal Detachment with Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy

The term proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is proposed as a designation for the clinical condition previously known variously as massive vitreous retraction, massive preretinal retraction, or massive periretinal proliferation. This is an abnormality in which rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is complicated by proliferation of membranes on both surfaces of the detached retina and on the posterior surface of the detached vitreous gel. The new classification subdivides PVR into four stages: A, minimal; B, moderate; C, marked; and D, massive. The extent of the fixed retinal folds is subdivided to indicate the number of involved quadrants. The degree of retinal shrinkage into a funnel-like configuration is subdivided into three grades.

Pneumatic Retinopexy: A Two-step Outpatient Operation without Conjunctival Incision

1,000 consecutive patients operated for retinal detachment were studied prospectively to determine the incidence of complications. Two parts of the operation were responsible for most of the vision-threatening complications: subretinal fluid drainage and the scleral buckle. In an attempt to reduce the complications of retinal detachment surgery, we have utilized a simplified procedure of transconjunctival cryotherapy and intravitreal gas injection with postoperative positioning. This study was limited to detachments with one or more breaks within one clock hour located within the superior eight clock hours of the fundus without signs of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. In a series of 20 consecutive patients, retinal reattachment was initially achieved in all cases. There were two recurrences that were reattached with scleral buckling. The final cure rate for the single pneumatic procedure, with six months follow-up, was 90%. No major complications were observed. This preliminary report suggests that pneumatic retinopexy has the advantages of reduced tissue trauma, no hospitalization, minimal complications, and reduced expense. The major disadvantage is the need for postoperative positioning for five days.

Pneumatic retinopexy. A collaborative report of the first 100 cases.

The preliminary experience of one surgeon, using pneumatic retinopexy for 20 consecutive cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, was previously reported. The collaborative experience of six surgeons using pneumatic retinopexy for 100 cases is now reported. This series includes cases with pseudophakia, aphakia, macular detachment, macular breaks, vitreous hemorrhage, trauma, and old detachments. Initially, 91% were reattached, but seven recurrences yielded a 6-month follow-up cure rate of 84% with pneumatic retinopexy. With subsequent scleral buckling, 98% were reattached. Postoperative complications included proliferative vitreoretinopathy (3%), macular pucker (3%), and new/missed retinal breaks (7%). A review of the literature disclosed postoperative new/missed retinal breaks in nine series: 21, 3, 8, 4, 9, 7, 5, 4, and 13%. There were no cases of glaucoma, cataract, subretinal gas, endophthalmitis, or extension of the detachment into a previously attached macula. Pneumatic retinopexy offers the advantages of reduced tissue trauma, fewer complications, no hospitalization, and less expense. The major disadvantage is the need for postoperative positioning.

A multivariate analysis of anatomic success of retinal detachments treated with scleral buckling

One hundred and twenty-three preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were evaluated to assess their effect on anatomic success of scleral buckling for retinal detachment. The relative importance of each variable was tested in a logistic regression equation. This equation identified ten significant variables for predicting the outcome of retinal detachment surgery. The significant variables were: preoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (adjusted odds ratio, AOR, 13.60), previous buckle by G.F. Hilton (AOR = 8.03), total detachment (AOR = 5.72), preoperative vitreous hemorrhage (AOR = 3.08), tension less than 10 mm Hg (AOR = 2.40), hemorrhagic complications (AOR = 2.62), previous buckles by others (AOR = 2.10), injection into the vitreous at surgery with either saline or balanced salt solution (AOR = 2.32) or air/sulfahexafluoride (AOR = 7.06), and preoperative vision less than 0.3 (20/60 or worse) (AOR = 2.14). The number of cryopexy applications was specifically tested in the equation, but while significant in a univariate analysis, it was not found to be significant in the multivariate analysis.

Pneumatic retinopexy : a two-year follow-up study of the multicenter clinical trial comparing pneumatic retinopexy with scleral buckling

The authors report 2-year follow-up information on 179 of 198 eyes (90%) enrolled in a previously published multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial comparing pneumatic retinopexy (PR) with scleral buckling (SB) for the management of selected retinal detachments. Scleral buckling was compared with PR with regard to redetachment after the initial 6-month follow-up period (1% versus 1%), overall attachment (98% versus 99%), subsequent cataract surgery (18% versus 4%; P less than 0.05), preoperative visual acuity (no significant difference), and final visual acuity of 20/50 or better in eyes with macular detachment for a period of 14 days or less (67% versus 89%; P less than or equal to 0.05). Reoperations after a failed PR attempt did not adversely affect visual outcome. After 2 years, PR continues to compare favorably with SB.

Office-based sutureless transconjunctival pars plana vitrectomy.

Purpose This is a preliminary report to describe our technique of office-based vitrectomy (OVIT) and to report the incidence of complications over a 6-year period. Methods In a retrospective, noncomparative case series, OVIT was performed on 225 patients in four participating offices. Each patient was operated on with a 23-gauge vitreous cutter that the authors have developed. They have also developed a 23-gauge transconjunctival infusion needle device. Diagnoses included endophthalmitis, uveitis, intravitreal lens fragments, ghost cell glaucoma, and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Results The surgical goal was accomplished in all cases, but supplemental office procedures were required for two eyes, and a scleral buckle was necessary in one eye. There were 15 complications in 14 eyes: “fish-egg” gas bubbles (one eye), intraocular hemorrhage (nine eyes), choroidal detachment (two eyes), new retinal breaks (one eye), retinal detachment (one eye), and temporary elevation of intraocular pressure (one eye). The hemorrhages, choroidal detachments, and fish-egg bubbles all resolved spontaneously. Conclusion Office-based sutureless transconjunctival pars plana vitrectomy, with infusion when needed, is an effective operation for selected diseases of the posterior segment. In a multicenter series of 225 eyes, there were 15 complications in 14 (6%) eyes. Two of the complications were successfully managed with additional office procedures; one was managed in the operating room; and 12 resolved spontaneously.

Classification of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy Used in the Silicone Study

The Silicone Study is a multicenter randomized clinical trial that compares a long-acting gas with silicone oil for the surgical treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). As part of the study, a topographic classification of PVR has been developed that is based on the characteristic patterns of retinal distortion produced by the contraction of proliferative membranes on the retina or within the vitreous base. This classification is used to document the extent and anatomic distribution of PVR present preoperatively and to help standardize the surgical treatment. Experience has shown that this classification facilitates the identification of these membranes and their systematic dissection, and the authors therefore suggest that it be used to augment the Retina Society classification of PVR.

PNEUMATIC RETINOPEXY: An Analysis of Intraoperative and Postoperative Complications

There have been 26 series (1,274 eyes) published on the use of pneumatic retinopexy for selected retinal detachments. Eighty percent were reattached with a single procedure and 98% with reoperations. New retinal breaks occurred in 13% and proliferative vitreoretinopathy in 4%. The three complications reported with pneumatic retinopexy but not with scleral buckling are subretinal gas, gas entrapment at the pars plana, and subconjunctival gas. Twenty-six complications of pneumatic retinopexy, most of which may also occur with scleral buckling, are discussed as to incidence, cause, prevention, and management.

Expanded Indications for Pneumatic Retinopexy

The Collaborative Pneumatic Retinopexy Study evaluated retinal detachments (RDs) secondary to one break or group of breaks no larger than 1 clock hour located within the superior 8 clock hours of the fundus. Eyes with prominent proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) were excluded. Forty eyes which exceed these criteria and were treated with pneumatic retinopexy have been retrospectively evaluated to determine what preoperative conditions limit the application of pneumatic retinopexy. Multiple breaks in multiple quadrants, large tears up to 2.5 clock hours in size, and RDs associated with a moderate degree of PVR were successfully managed with pneumatic retinopexy. The greatest number of failures were due to inferior breaks. The overall success rate for pneumatic retinopexy was 75%. New breaks occurred in 12.5% of eyes, but all of these were successfully managed.

Pneumatic Retinopexy Failures: Cause, Prevention, Timing, and Management

BACKGROUND Pneumatic retinopexy is a procedure for reattaching the retina by injecting an expanding gas bubble and using either laser or cryopexy. The procedure is controversial because there may be a lower initial success rate, and intraocular gas may increase the risk of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective review of 107 unpublished consecutive cases of pneumatic retinopexy together with a literature review of 25 statistical series with primary attention to failures. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out on the data set, and adjusted odds ratios for risk factors associated with failure were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS Initially, 74 (69%) of 107 patients had successful results, and with re-operations the success rate increased to 98%. Failure of the procedure to achieve retinal reattachment occurred soon after the initial procedure, with 86% of recorded failures occurring within the first month. The initial cause of failure was new or missed breaks in 14.9%, reopened initial breaks in 11.2%, and breaks never closed in 4.6%. Risk factors that showed a correlation with failure were patients being male (adjusted odds ratio = 2.65), eyes with preoperative visual acuity worse than 20/50 (adjusted odds ratio = 1.21), eyes with four quadrants of retinal detachment or total detachment (adjusted odds ratio = 2.03), aphakic or pseudophakic eyes (adjusted odds ratio = 1.91), and eyes with additional pathologic findings (adjusted odds ratio = 3.14). Poor visual outcome was associated with initial visual acuity less than 20/50 (adjusted odds ratio = 15.7) and eyes with four quadrants of retinal detachment or total detachment (adjusted odds ratio = 5.01). CONCLUSIONS Failures of pneumatic retinopexy occur early in the postoperative course. Factors known to be associated with failure of retinal reattachment using scleral buckling also were associated with failure in pneumatic retinopexy. A higher success rate in females was noted, suggesting that educational efforts may need to be greater in males. Poorer visual results occurred in patients with poor initial vision and in eyes with four quadrants of retinal detachment or total detachments.