AIM: To find the risk factors for recurrent retinal detachment after silicone oil removal.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all silicone oil removed surgeries performed between January 2008 and October 2011 in our vitreous-retinal group. All eyes had pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade before in our center caused by retinal detachment. Binary logistic regression was used to find out the risk factors associated with recurrent retinal detachment. Factors analyzed included gender, age, primary diagnosis, lens state before silicone oil removal, duration of silicone oil, times of posterior segment surgeries, whether circling buckle was used, whether 20-gauge or 23-gauge vitrectomy was used, if combined with anterior segment surgeries during silicone oil removal, if combined with anterior segment or retinal operations during silicone oil removal.

RESULTS: Altogether, 128 eyes were collected, and 23 eyes(18.0%)had recurrent retinal detachment. Times of posterior segment surgeries before silicone oil removal and primary diagnosis were the independent risk factors associated with recurrent retinal detachment. The duration of silicone oil had a positive correlation with intraocular pressure elevation(IOP≥25mmHg).

CONCLUSION: Recurrent retinal detachment is a relatively frequent complication after silicone oil removal, especially for eyes with serious ocular trauma and multiple posterior segment surgeries.