Vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade for retinal detachment associated with giant retinal tears: Favourable outcomes without adjuvant scleral buckling

Purpose To evaluate the outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade in the management of retinal detachment associated with giant retinal tears. Methods We reviewed 45 eyes of 42 patients with primary retinal detachment associated with giant retinal tears over 10 years at a tertiary referral centre. Patients underwent 23-gauge vitrectomy without adjuvant scleral buckling by a single surgeon and had follow-up at least 6 months after silicone oil removal. Results Mean follow-up was 37 ± 35 months. Seven eyes (16%) had grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and 16 (36%) had a giant retinal tear ≥180° at baseline. The primary reattachment rate was 84%, and the overall final anatomical success rate was 98%. The mean Snellen visual acuity equivalent at the final visit was 20/58. Final visual acuity ≥20/40 was achieved in 64%. The mean duration of silicone oil tamponade was 10.5 ± 4 weeks. By the final visit, silicone oil had been removed from 44 eyes (98%). Conclusion The high rates of anatomical and functional success support management of giant retinal tears-associated retinal detachment with vitrectomy without adjuvant scleral buckling. Removal of silicone oil at the earliest possible time helps to avoid complications such as keratopathy, glaucoma and visual loss without apparent reason.