Encircling band, laser retinopexy and lens removal as standard procedure in complicated retinal detachment shows a good clinical outcome

. Purpose:  To evaluate vitrectomy in conjunction with the use of perfluorocarbon, cerclage, laser retinopexy, lens removal and silicone oil as surgical treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy associated with retinal detachment. Methods:  Sixty-two eyes of 62 patients were treated for complicated retinal detachment following failed prior scleral buckling. Outcome measures were; retinal reattachment rate 6 months after silicone oil removal, status of the retina, visual acuity (VA), duration of silicone tamponade and frequency of reoperations. Results:  The final reattachment rate was 95%. Reoperations had to be performed in 25% of patients. Eighty-one per cent of these patients received one and 19% two or more operations following silicone oil implantation. The mean time to reoperation was 1.8 ± 1.4 months. Silicone oil was removed after 5.6 ± 4.1 months following the last vitreoretinal procedure in 90%, respectively, 95% with attached retina. Five per cent experienced retinal detachment after silicone oil removal. At the end of follow-up, the mean VA was 0.13 ± 0.26 Snellen. Seventy per cent of patients achieved a vision of 20/200 or better (mean 0.25 ± 0.27). Conclusion:  Our study demonstrates good final outcomes when a rigorous surgical approach was used. Furthermore, this standard procedure reduces the need for reoperations and consequently improves the functional outcome.