13.1 Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: Re-detachment Surgery

If true PVR is present, attempts should be made to remove it (by peeling or retinectomy) to allow the retina to become mobile enough to flatten (see Chapter 10.1 Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment - Vitrectomy Repair). Even if a retinectomy is planned, peeling all membranes posterior to it is essential to decrease the rate of post-operative contraction. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) membranes may be epiretinal, intraretinal or subretinal. Only epiretinal and subretinal membranes are amenable to peeling. Trypan blue or ICG can be useful to visualize PVR epiretinal membranes. These are more difficult to peel than idiopathic epiretinal membranes because the retina is mobile and the membranes themselves are more adherent. Sometimes it is easier to stain and peel the ILM with Brilliant Blue B to ensure that the posterior hyaloid and epiretinal membranes have been removed completely and to break the connection between the macula and adjacent areas of bridging traction. A bent needle or barbed MVR blade can be useful to initiate the peel.

In cases of subretinal proliferation, membranes under the retina may need to be addressed (they can be left alone if they are not causing significant traction leading to re-detachment). Subretinal bands can be removed with a punch through retinotomy either at the site of the end of the band or adjacent to it (Figure 13.1.1). It is important to diathermise the retinotomy site first to prevent haemorrhage, which can be problematic if it spreads subretinally. Heavy forceps (e.g. Grieshaber® MaxGrip® forceps, Alcon) are useful to remove the band as they can be extremely adherent and elastic (Figure 13.1.2). It is best to pull in the same line as the band, as parallel to the retinal surface as possible. Alternatively, the surgeon can use both hands to roll the band around the forceps like a spaghetti (this requires the assistant to hold the light pipe, or insertion of a chandelier light).

New breaks need to be treated with further endolaser or cryotherapy. In many re-operation cases, a scleral buckling element may be useful (see Chapter 11.1 Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment - Scleral Buckle and Chapter 12 Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment - Combined Vitrectomy and Scleral Buckle) particularly if PVR is present and can even be helpful in the presence of a retinectomy to support the anterior horns. A lensectomy may be indicated, in some cases, to allow for adequate removal of all PVR or anterior hyaloidal loop traction. In cases of re-detachment repair, intraocular endotamponade is usually accomplished with a long-acting gas (C3F8) or silicone oil (see Chapter 5.1 Intraocular Tamponades and Vitreous Substitutes)