AIM: To observed the clinical effect of twice fluid-gas exchange in vitrectomy for retinal detachment at the equator.

METHODS: The retrospective analysis of the 74 cases(74 eyes)with retinal detachment at the equator from January 2014 to September 2015 were reviewed. All these patients were performed standard three channel 23G vitrectomy under a wide angle lens, in which, the 37 cases(37 eyes)were randomly selected and performed single fluid-gas exchange, and the other 37 cases(37 eyes)were performed twice fluid-gas exchange. The intraoperative surgical complications and the postoperative success rate of retinal reposition in 1wk, 1, 3mo after surgery of the two group patients were observed.

RESULTS: The intraoperative surgical complication rates of the twice fluid-gas exchange group were less than that of the single fluid-gas exchange group. The postoperative success rate of retinal reposition in the twice fluid-gas exchange group significantly increased in 1wk and 1mo after surgery, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). But the postoperative success rate of retinal reposition in 3mo after surgery had no significant difference(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: The twice fluid-gas exchange operation was simple and it was beneficial for beginners to master. The incomplete drainage of the single fluid-gas exchange and the pore drainage in the posterior pole or in the peripheral part of the retina were avoided during the surgery. The intraoperative surgical complication rates were reduced and the postoperative success rate of retinal reposition were improved. This operation method had great application value in clinic.