Sutureless Belt Loops versus Sutured Buckle Technique in Combination with Vitrectomy for Retinal Detachment Repair: A Comparative Analysis.

Objective: To compare the anatomic and visual outcomes in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair involving combined pars plana vitrectomy (PPV)/scleral buckle (SB) using a sutureless belt loops technique versus a conventional sutured buckle technique.
Methods: This is a retrospective, consecutive, interventional, comparative case series study using patients treated for primary retinal detachment who underwent the SB procedure in combination with PPV. Details regarding anatomic and visual outcome were analyzed.
Results: Thirty-five eyes were included in this study: 18 eyes (18 patients) treated with combined PPV and SB performed using a sutureless belt loops technique (group A) and 17 eyes (17 patients) treated with combined PPV and SB sutured to the sclera (group B). Successful anatomic attachment and appropriate buckle height were achieved in all 35 cases. There was 1 case of redetachment in each group during the follow-up: 1/17 (5.9%) in group A and 1/18 (5.6%) in group B (p = 0.97). No cases of buckle infection, extrusion, or intrusion were noted during the follow-up period.
Conclusion: SBs installed using a belt loops sutureless technique appear to be as safe and effective as those applied using conventional suturing for repair of retinal detachment, with similar anatomic and functional outcomes.
(© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.)