Retinal detachment surgery: the dilemma between personal experience and clinical trials

Abstract

Several techniques are described for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Retrospective studies have not clearly indicated a superiority of one or another technique. In randomized trials, differences between these techniques were demonstrated. Although the evidence is published, the surgeon’s choice of a specific technique is based on many other factors. The results of pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckling and vitrectomy are discussed and compared. The possible factors affecting the surgeon’s choice for a technique are also discussed in this review.

Keywords::

• clinical trials
• experience
• pneumatic retinopexy
• retinal detachment
• scleral buckling
• surgical decision-making
• vitrectomy
• vitreoretinal surgery

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.