Evaluation of Pars Plana Vitrectomy With and Without Supplemental Scleral Buckle for the Repair of Rhegmatogenous Detachment Due to Inferior Retinal Breaks: A Systematic Review

Abstract

In this systematic review, the efficacy of scleral buckle (SB) with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) was compared to PPV alone in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) due to inferior retinal breaks (IRB). Measured outcomes included final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anatomic success, and complication rates in randomized controlled trials and observational studies from 2000 to 2022. Among four studies (696 eyes), three studies demonstrated no significant difference between PPV and PPV/SB for final BCVA, whereas one study reported better BCVA with added SB. PPV/SB yielded comparable single-surgery anatomical success (SSAS) and final anatomical success (FAS) in three studies relative to PPV alone ( P < 0.05); however, one study reported better SSAS with added SB. Stratifying by lens status revealed a SSAS benefit with PPV/SB in phakic eyes ( P = 0.046). No significant difference was seen in complication rates. In conclusion, PPV and PPV/SB were associated with similar functional outcomes and risk profile, whereas SSAS may be improved with PPV/SB in phakic eyes with RRD due to IRB. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:XX–XX.]