AIM: To study the criterion-reference of endotamponades in pars plana vitrectomy for metallic intraocular foreign body (MIOFD) associated with endophthalmitis. METHODS: Thirty-six patients of MIOFD with endophthalmitis accorded with exclusion and inclusion criteria were retrospectively analyzed. A detailed analysis of the patients’ natural factors, preoperative examinations, intraoperative endotamponades choice, postoperative complications and therapeutic effects was performed. RESULTS: BSS was used in 4 eyes without obvious retinal damage. There was no postoperative complication and the visual acuity (VA) was improved. Sixteen eyes that had mild retinal damage filled with C3F8 gas. The postoperative VA improved in 10 eyes (62.5%), 4 eyes (25.0%) remained unchanged and 2 eyes (12.5%) decreased. Only 2 cases occurred postoperative retinal detachment in gas group. Another 16 eyes with serious retinal damage were treated with silicone oil. Postoperative VA of 9 eyes (56.3%) improved, 3 eyes (18.8%) remained unchanged and 4 eyes (25.0%) decreased. The silicone oil group had higher incidence of postoperative complications, but the incidence of secondary treatment had no significant different between silicone oil and gas group. CONCLUSION: An appropriate choice of endotamponades in vitrectomy surgery for MIOFB with endophthalmitis is important for prognosis.