A study reported on the outcomes on a significant series of retinal detachment (RD) cases with temporary balloon buckle using Foley catheter. The results were published at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2021.
In this analysis, led by Medhi Modarres MD, practitioners operated on 212 cases of primary rhegmatogenous RD using a temporary balloon buckle between 2005 and 2018. In all cases, there was no significant proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and there was at least a single break or a group of close breaks. The Foley urinary catheter size 6 was used in all cases, over a mean follow-up of approximately nine months.
According to the results, retinal reattachment after single surgery was achieved in 86% of eyes. It was observed that in 3.4% of eyes, retina detached following balloon removal. Failed cases of retinal re-attachable were managed with repeat balloon buckle, conventional scleral buckle, or vitrectomy, achieving a robust final success of 96%. No major complications were observed in this study.
“Parabulbar balloon is still a viable, simple technique for RD surgery, with high success rate in selected cases,” the researchers concluded. “As original Lincoff balloon is not commercially available, Foley urinary catheter can be used instead with comparable results.”
Source: Modarres M. Treatment of Retinal Detachment with the Use of Foley Urinary Catheter a Temporary Balloon Buckle. Poster 384. Published for AAO 2021; Nov. 12-15, 2021, New Orleans, LA.
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