AIM: To compare the clinical efficacy and safty of 25G and 27G pars planavitrectomy(PPV)in the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD)with air tamponade.

METHODS: Sixty-three cases(63 eyes)with RRD underwent 27G or 25G PPV from May 2016 to June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-three eyes(33 eyes)for 25G vitrectomy and 30 eyes underwent 27G vitrectomy. The main outcome measurements of the study included the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA, LogMAR), intraocular pressure, surgicaltime, retinal reattachment rate, intraoperative and postoperative complications.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline demographic between the two groups(P>0.05). The BCVA was increased significantly in both groups(all P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in terms of visual improvement between the two groups(P>0.05). The mean surgical time in the 25G group was(44.13±5.9)min, which was no significant difference than that of 27G group(46.07±6.1)min(t=0.028, P=0.412). The retinal reattachment rate after a single operation was 91% and 93% for 25G and 27G group respectively(χ²=0.015, P=0.902). There was no significant difference about hypotony(<6mmHg, 1mmHg=0.133kPa)between the 25G group(15%)and the 27G group(10%),(χ²=0.376, P=0.540). No serious complication such as choroidal detachment and endophthalmitis was observed in both groups.

CONCLUSION: This study finds no significant differences in the surgical time, the rate of reattachment of retina, improvement of BCVA and complications between the 25G or 27G vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with air tamponade. 27G vitrectomy with air tamponade seems to be a safe, economical and effective surgery for RRD.