DRAINAGE VERSUS NON DRAINAGE IN SCLERAL BUCKLING PROCEDURE

Purpose: To compare the anatomical retinal reattachment with Scleral Buckling (SB) technique with and without sub
retinal fluid drainage (SRFD) in uncomplicated Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment (RRD).
Methods: This study was performed in the department of Vitreoretinal Ophthalmology, Hayatabad Medical Complex,
Peshawar. Thirty Nine eyes of 39 subjects were studied from 1st October 2010 to 31st July 2012. All the cases were
randomly allotted in two groups equally, drainage group contain scleral buckling with SRF drainage and non drainage
group contain scleral buckling only. All operations were performed by a single surgeon and only segmental silicon
plumb 3mm and 5mm were used in both the groups. All patients were followed up postoperatively on day one, day
15, Day 30 and day 60. The major endpoint for comparison was the anatomic cure rate with secondary consideration
of intraoperative complications.
Results: Post operatively at 60 days of follow up drainage group had retinal reattachment mean 89.47% and non
drainage group had 90% which was not statistically significant (p-value=). Visual outcome was achieved at 60 days
follow up 3/60 and above in 15/20 (78.94%) cases in drainage group while 14/20 (70 %) in non drainage group. Intraoperative
complications were encountered more commonly 10 out of 19 eyes in drainage group and 4 out of 20 eyes
in non drainage group (p-value= ).
Conclusion: In conclusion, SRFD do not seem to influence the anatomical retinal reattachment and visual outcomes
of scleral buckling in un complicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Although intraoperative complications were
noted more in SRFD group. Routine drainage of SRF is not essential for successful retinal re-attachment.
Key Words: Scleral Buckling, Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment, sub retinal fluid drainage (SRFD