AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effects of emergent vitrectomy for posterior segment intraocular foreign bodies.METHODS:A retrospective study of 32 consecutive cases(32 eyes)of pars plana vitrectomy for the removal of posterior segment intraocular foreign bodies in emergency treatment during January 2005 to June 2010 was conducted.The study group consisted of 32 eyes for 28 males and 4 females,aged from 18 to 50 years old.The site of wound entrance was in the cornea in 12 cases,in the sclera in 8 cases,and in the corneoscleral limbus in 12 cases.The intraocular foreign body was found to be in the vitreous in 22 cases and embedded in the retina in 10 cases.Associated lesions were traumatic cataract in 22 cases,vitreous hemorrhage in 29 cases,hyphema in 4 cases,retinal detachment in 5 cases.RESULTS:The foreign bodies were extracted successfully in 30 cases.Postoperative visual acuity improved in 12 cases,did not change in 10 cases,and decreased in 10 cases.During the postoperative period,secondary glaucoma were observed in 4 cases,retinal detachment in 3 cases,phthisis bulbi in 2 cases.Operation was canceled because of corneal opacity in 1 case and because of intraocular hemorrhage in the other case,whose foreign bodies were successfully removed in the elective surgery.CONCLUSION:Vitrectomy for emergency treatment of foreign bodies is found to be an effective therapeutic approach in removing posterior segment intraocular foreign bodies in time.