Outcome of complex retinal detachment surgery after silicone oil removal

Background and objective: To evaluate anatomical prognosis after silicone oil removal. Patients and methods: Sixty-eight eyes which underwent silicone oil removal were enrolled into the study. The underlying ocular pathology for pars plana vitrectomy, surgical methods, and time of silicone oil removal were analysed. Results: Sixteen of 68 eyes (23.5%) redetached following the removal of silicone oil. According to etiology redetachment rates: PVR C 9.5% (2/21), PVR D 25% (4/16), trauma without intraocular foreign body 27.3% (3/11), with intraocular foreign body 33.3% (2/6), giant retinal tear 37.5% (3/8), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy with tractional retinal detachment 33.3% (2/6). The rate of redetachment was 22% in patients with encircling band and 27.8% without encircling band. Retina was redetached in the first 10 days in 81.3% of patients after silicone oil removal. Conclusion: The residual vitreoretinal traction especially at the vitreous base is the most likely reason for retinal redetachment after silicone oil removal, which is most commonly seen during the first 10 days. © 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.