Is There a Link Between Vitreous Cortex Remnants and Anatomic Outcome of Vitrectomy for Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment?

Purpose: To study the anatomic outcome of leaving vitreous cortex remnants (VCR) during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).
Methods: The study comprised patients with RRD who had PPV by a single surgeon between January 2019 and December 2020 and followed for 6 months. After intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide, the topographic pattern of VCR at the periphery (p) and macula (m) was divided into 2 types by extent: complete or 4 quadrants (pVCR4Q), and   between 2 and 4 quadrants ≥2 quadrants (pVCR>2Q), or by location >1 inferior retinal quadrant (pVCR>1InfQ), and at the macula (mVCR). Anatomical failure or retinal re-detachment within 6 months after surgery was the primary outcome measures. The occurrence of grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and epiretinal membrane (ERM) were used as secondary outcome indicators.
Results: A 6-month prospective follow-up was performed on 103 patients. pVCR4Q was detected in 31 eyes, pVCR>2Q in 40 eyes, pVCR>1InfQ in 40 eyes and mVCR in 54 eyes. Recurrent RRD developed in 9 (8.7%) eyes, PVR grade C in 6 (5.8%) eyes and ERM in 11 (10.7%) eyes. According to multivariate regression analysis, the existence of any type of VCR did not correlate with anatomical failure, PVR or ERM.
Conclusion: The initial success rate of PPV and the growth of PVR or ERM do not appear to be impacted by keeping VCR.
Competing Interests: None of the authors had any financial/conflicting interests to disclose.
(© 2023 Assi et al.)