AIM: To observe the clinical features of non-posterior retinal multiple-tear detachment and to explore the outcomes of vitreoctomy and scleral buckling in this type of retinal detachment.

METHODS: A retrospective clinical comparative study. Totally 40 eyes of 40 patients with retinal multiple-tear detachment were included in the study. According to surgical methods, the patients were divided into vitrectomy group(PPV group, group A, 18 eyes)and scleral buckling group(SB group, group B, 22 eyes). All patients were followed up for 3 to 6mo to observe the postoperative outcomes of the two groups.

RESULTS: At the end of follow-up, the rate of retinal reattachment in the A group was 100%(18/18). Retinal reattachment rate after removal of silicone oil-filled eyes was 56%(10/18).The rate of complete retinal reattachment in the B group was 86%(19/22), respectively. The difference was not statistically significant in the final retinal reattachment rate comparison(including silicone oil filled eyes)(P>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in retinal reattachment rate after removal of silicone oil-filled eyes(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Non-posterior retinal multiple-tear detachment are mostly caused by extensive retinal degeneration or combined with vitreous traction. Vitrectomy should be chosen in complex cases, but multiple operations are required, while the long-term result of scleral buckling is stable. The choice between vitrectomy and scleral buckling needs comprehensive consideration, and it should be avoided to enlarge the indications for vitrectomy blindly. However, scleral buckling should be preferred if possible, for younger or special groups such as those with one eye.