Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of external-route microsurgery for retinal detachment (RD). Methods In 36 patients (36 eyes) with single rhegmatogenous RD, the silica gel piece and/or buckling bands were preplaced, and drainage of subretinal fluid, retinal cryotherapy, e xamination of locating the holes, and intraocular injection of gas were performe d under surgical microscope. The surgical effects were compared with those of ot her simultaneous 37 patients with rhegmatogenous RD who underwent surgery under binocular indirect ophthalmscope. Results The simultaneous intraoperative observation of the fundus details and the sclera through the microscope was excellent in all cases. Under the surgical microscope, the reaction of r etinal cryotherapy was clearly visible without any serious surgical sequela. The observation of reaction of retinal cryotherapy and the orientation of the holes were not affected by mild opacity of the refractive media. Retinal reattachment was achieved in 31 eyes after the primary surgery and in 3 eyes after the secon dary surgery, with the final rate of rettachment of 94%. The best-corrected vi sual acuity was ＜0.1 in 6 eyes (16.7%), 0.1-0.4 in 15 eyes (41.7%), and ≥ 0.5 in 15 eyes(41.7%). The results were similar to those of the patients underwent surgery under indirect ophthalmoscope.Conclusion The external route microsurgery is simple, convenient, reliable, and effective. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：369-373)

Citation： LIU Wen,LI Chunfang,HUANG Suying. External-route microsurgery for retinal detachment. Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases, 2004, 20(6): 369-373. doi: Copy