Four-port Vitrectomy in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Abstract

Purpose: The study investigated the results of direct surgical scleral depression using four ports and the chandelier lighting system in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.Methods: Anatomical and functional success rates and complications were analyzed in 179 eyes diagnosed with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment that underwent primary vitrectomy using four ports at our hospital between March 2012 and February 2022.Results: A total of 168 (93.9%) eyes had anatomical success without reoperation while 11 (6.1%) developed recurrence. However, the final success rate was 100%. The best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly from logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) 1.03 ± 0.92 to logMAR 0.24 ± 0.39 after surgery (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Complications included a temporary increase in the intraocular pressure (n = 3, 1.7%), leakage through the scleral incision (n = 2, 1.1%), hyphema and vitreous hemorrhage (n = 10, 5.6%), and iatrogenic retinal break (n = 1, 0.6%), but these improved after treatment.Conclusions: Four-port vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in which scleral depression is directly performed using the chandelier lighting system is a useful surgical method. It allows effective visualization of the peripheral retina regardless of the assistant’s proficiency which results in a more meticulous surgery. The anatomical and functional results of this technique were similar to the conventional technique.