Buckle removal in retinal detachment surgery: a consecutive case series.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome after buckle removal in a consecutive series of treated detachments.
Methods: Segmental and/or encircling buckles were removed in 46 consecutive patients operated upon for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, showing buckle extrusion, recurrent pain, and diplopia. Patients underwent a preoperative retinal examination, and a six- months postoperative follow-up.
Results: Cryopexy of retinal breaks was performed in all 46 patients during the primary surgery. At the time of buckle removal none of the patients underwent argon-laser treatment. The removed buckling material was made of MIRAGEL in 32 cases (74%), silicone sponge in 7 (17%), and silicone band in 4 (9%). The time between the first surgery and buckle removal ranged from 1 to 17 years (8 +/- 7.5, M +/- SD). Neither postoperative complications, nor recurrences of retinal detachment developed. Best corrected visual acuity remained unchanged during the follow-up. Diplopia resolved in all 4 eyes after buckle removal with no need for a strabismus operation, prismatic lenses were required in one case only.
Conclusions: Although the absence of a control group, the adequately applied retinopexy during primary surgery could probably prevent the recurrence of retinal detachment.