AIM: To evaluate the outcomes and safety of minimally invasive 23G pars plana vitrectomy(PPV)combined with silicone oil tamponade for the removal of giant intraocular foreign body(IOFB).

METHODS: A total of 12 cases diagnosed with giant IOFB were included in this retrospective study in which 11 eyes of 11 males and 1 eye of 1 female were treated in Changsha Aier Eye Hospital between February 2012 and March 2015. Among these patients, the preoperative best corrected visual acuity varied from light perception to 0.1 with retinal detachment identified in all 12 eyes. All patients underwent 23G minimally invasive PPV. After the vitreous was removed and the damaged retina was repaired, silicone oil was filled, and then the scleral incision was extended to remove the giant IOFB. Lens extraction and intraocular lens implantation were performed in some patients when necessary. Silicone oil was removed 6mo later.

RESULTS: The giant IOFB was removed successfully just with 1 attempt in each of 12 eyes, and no IOFB fell and reinjured the retina or damaged the cornea during the procedure. All retinas were reattached and no endophthalmitis was observed in any patients postoperatively. The silicone oil was removed successfully after 6mo, and by then the visual acuity was improved in all cases. Sixty-seven percent of patients became free of blindness and 25% free of visual disability.

CONCLUSION: Removing giant IOFB through 23G PPV assisted with silicone oil tamponade is safe and effective.