[Surgical indications and results of primary pars plana vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments].

To evaluate the efficasy of primary vitrectomy for uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with posterior hyaloid separation, a series of 63 eyes were reviewed retrospectively. The criteria for vitrectomy included not only eyes with posterior retinal breaks but also those with multiple peripheral retinal breaks. The reattachment rate was 92.1% (58 eyes) after the initial surgery, and finally this increased to 100%. Of the 46 eyes with macular detachment, good visual rehabilitation, i.e., visual acuity improved by 5 or more lines, was obtained in 71.8% (33 eyes) one month postoperatively. There was no statistically significant difference in the reattachment rate whether an encircling procedure was also done or not. In eyes with lens opacity, cataract surgery was also done and intraocular lenses were implanted uneventfully in all but one myopic case. No serious complications such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy were found throughout the follow-up period except for the high incidence (53.8%) of cataractous progression. The results indicate that vitrectomy, removing the peripheral vitreo-retinal traction directly, is an effective procedure for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Vitrectomy combined with cataract surgery is also proposed as a valuable strategy in selected cases to maintain visual rehabilitation.