Complications of Sub-Retinal Fluid Drainage in Scleral Buckling

Abstract

Objective: To determine safety and efficacy of sub-retinal fluid drainage by cut down technique in sclera buckling surgery.

Study Design: A prospective interventional case series.

Duration and setting of study: This study was performed at department of ophthalmology, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan from March, 2019 to September, 2019.

Methods: All patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, who were admitted in department of
ophthalmology and were due for scleral buckling surgery were included in this study. All cases were operated by a single surgeon (S J) and in all cases sub-retinal fluid was drained by cut down technique (Incisional sclerochoroidotomy). A predesigned proforma was completed for every study case recording preoperative characteristics and intra-operative complications. Post operative retina status and fundus findings were also noted. SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis.

Results: A total of 53 eyes were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 39 years. Male were 77.4 and female were 22.6%. Proliferative vitreo retinopathy was grade A in 34%, grade B in 64% and grade C in 2% of eyes. Macula was attached in 18.9% of eyes and was detached in 81.1% of cases. No complications were found in 11.3% eyes. The most common intra-operative complication was sub-retinal bleed (9.4%). .

Conclusions: Sub-retinal fluid drainage by cut down technique is relatively safe. The most common complication of SRF drainage is sub-retinal bleed.