Long-term anatomo-functional results of surgical treatment of retinal detachment by temporary extrascleral ballooning method

Purpose of the study was to conduct a clinical and functional analysis of the results of surgical treatment of retinal detachment using temporary extrascleral ballooning. Material and methods. Extrascleral ballooning was performed in 30 patients (30 eyes) with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Preoperative visual acuity ranged from 0.05 to 1.0 (0.63 ± 0.35). During the surgery, a tunnel was formed in the sub-Tenon space with the introduction of a balloon into the projection area of the retinal break, then the balloon was filled with saline until the indentation required by the height of ridge of the buckle was created. On the first postoperative day, delimiting laser coagulation of the retina along the break margin was performed using a 3-mirror Goldmann lens. On the 7th day, after the formation of chorioretinal adhesions, the balloon was smoothly emptied and removed. The follow-up examination was performed on the first day, 1 week, 1 month and 12 months after the surgery. The follow-up period ranged from 1 year to 8 years (5.12 ± 2.4 years). Results. The surgery was without complications in all cases. In the early postoperative period, complete retinal reattachment was achieved in all patients. In the period from 1 week to 3.5 years, recurrent retinal detachment was noted in 6 cases (20%). Visual acuity in the late postoperative period improved in 17 cases (56.7%), remained unchanged in 10 (33.3%), and decreased in 3 (10%). Conclusion. Temporary extrascleral ballooning is still an effective and relevant technique that provides good anatomical and functional results in the treatment of uncomplicated retinal detachment. Temporary ballooning can be recommended for patients with uncomplicated forms of retinal detachment, in which proliferative vitreoretinopathy does not exceed stage A, there is no traction from the vitreous body at the edge of the rupture, the ruptures themselves are within the access of the forming depression shaft (for up to 1 hour), and the retinal pigment epithelium has sufficient pigmentation for reliable chorioretinal adhesions.

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