Anatomical and Functional Outcomes of Pneumatic Retinopexy for Retinal Detachment: A 2-Year Case Series

August 26, 2026 updated by: Daniel Andrés Noguera Fuertes, Clinica Oftalmologica Paredes

Anatomical and Functional Outcomes of Pneumatic Retinopexy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Using PIVOT Criteria: A 2-Year Case Series From a Referral Center in Southwestern Colombia

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the 2-year anatomical and functional outcomes of pneumatic retinopexy in phakic adult patients with superior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment meeting adapted PIVOT eligibility criteria. The main questions it aims to answer are to determine the primary anatomical success rate over 24 months-defined as sustained retinal reattachment without secondary vitrectomy or scleral buckling-and to evaluate long-term visual acuity outcomes and structural macular integrity measured by OCT. As a single-arm observational case series, participants undergo baseline ophthalmic evaluation (BCVA, OCT, and fundus photography), followed by a standardized outpatient procedure consisting of anterior chamber paracentesis (0.3 cc), inferotemporal intravitreal 100% C3F8 gas injection (0.7 cc), face-down positioning followed by the steam-roll maneuver, postoperative 577-nm yellow laser retinopexy with a 360° peripheral barrier upon reattachment, and protocolized follow-up evaluations on Day 1, at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and up to 24 months.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a critical ophthalmic emergency caused by full-thickness retinal breaks that permit subretinal fluid accumulation, risking irreversible photoreceptor damage. Pneumatic retinopexy (PnR) combines intravitreal expansile gas injection with laser or cryotherapy retinopexy as a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. Although the landmark PIVOT trial demonstrated the non-inferiority and functional advantages of PnR compared to vitrectomy in selected cases, long-term 2-year prospective evidence on anatomical and functional outcomes in Latin American settings remains limited.

This prospective observational study evaluated 33 phakic adult patients presenting with superior RRD who strictly met adapted PIVOT eligibility criteria at Clínica Oftalmológica Paredes in Pasto, Colombia. Preoperative assessment included a comprehensive evaluation by a retina specialist, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), macular OCT (AngioVue/RTVue XR), and wide-field retinal photography (Eidon FA). Before gas injection, 577-nm yellow argon laser photocoagulation was applied to any retinal breaks without associated detachment.

The standardized surgical intervention was performed under topical anesthesia and operating room aseptic conditions, beginning with an anterior chamber paracentesis extracting 0.3 cc of aqueous humor, followed by an inferotemporal injection of 0.7 cc of 100% C3F8 gas 4 mm from the limbus and compressive hemostasis. Following the injection, patients maintained a strict face-down position for one hour and, after verifying foveal reattachment and intraocular pressure, initiated the steam-roll positioning maneuver to guide the gas bubble over the break.

Within 24 to 48 hours post-injection, once retinal reattachment was achieved, complete 577-nm yellow laser photocoagulation was performed around the breaks along with a 360° peripheral laser barrier, while non-responding cases were scheduled for secondary vitrectomy within one week. Long-term follow-up of successful cases was conducted on Day 1, at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and up to 24 months to document primary anatomical success, tear tamponade efficacy, BCVA evolution, IS/OS junction integrity on OCT, intraocular pressure dynamics, and complications such as macular edema or epiretinal membrane formation.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
33

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Colombia
    • Departamento de Nariño
      • Pasto, Departamento de Nariño, Colombia, 520002
        • Clínica Oftalmológica Paredes

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Phakic adult patients presenting with primary superior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) evaluated and treated at the retina service of Clínica Oftalmológica Paredes in Pasto, Colombia, who met adapted PIVOT trial eligibility criteria.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 18 years or older.
  • Phakic status in the study eye.
  • Diagnosis of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).
  • Single retinal break or a group of breaks extending within 1 clock hour of the upper retina (located between 8:00 and 4:00 clock hours).
  • Ability and willingness to comply with post-procedure face-down positioning, steam-roll maneuvers, and scheduled follow-up visits.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pseudophakic or aphakic status.
  • Retinal breaks located in the inferior 4 clock hours (between 4:00 and 8:00 clock hours).
  • Multiple retinal breaks spanning more than 1 clock hour.
  • Presence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) grade C or D.
  • Media opacities obstructing adequate visualization of the fundus or preventing effective laser photocoagulation (e.g., severe vitreous hemorrhage or advanced cataract).
  • Uncontrolled baseline intraocular pressure or pre-existing advanced glaucoma.
  • History of prior vitreoretinal surgery in the study eye.
  • Physical, mental, or geographic inability to maintain strict post-procedure positioning or fulfill protocol requirements.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Pneumatic Retinopexy (PnR) Cohort
Phakic adult patients presenting with primary superior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) meeting adapted PIVOT eligibility criteria. All participants underwent standardized pneumatic retinopexy, including anterior chamber paracentesis (0.3 cc), inferotemporal intravitreal 100% C3F8 gas injection (0.7 cc), initial face-down and steam-roll positioning, and postoperative 577-nm yellow argon laser retinopexy with a 360-degree peripheral barrier.
Procedure: Pneumatic Retinopexy
Standardized pneumatic retinopexy protocol including pre-gas 577-nm yellow argon laser to non-detached breaks (if applicable), anterior chamber paracentesis (0.3 cc), inferotemporal intravitreal injection of 100% C3F8 gas (0.7 cc), 1 hour of face-down positioning followed by steam-roll maneuver, and postoperative 577-nm yellow argon laser retinopexy with a 360-degree peripheral barrier once retinal reattachment is achieved.
Other Names:
  • PnR
  • Pneumoretinopexia
  • C3F8 gas injection and laser retinopexy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Primary Anatomical Success Rate
Time Frame: 24 months
Proportion of patients achieving sustained retinal reattachment following initial pneumatic retinopexy without requiring secondary surgical interventions (such as pars plana vitrectomy or scleral buckling).
24 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Clinica Oftalmologica Paredes

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 6, 2020

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 11, 2023

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
April 7, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
August 26, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 26, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 31, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 31, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 26, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • PT-CO40

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be publicly shared in an open data repository. However, de-identified participant data and protocol details can be made available by the corresponding author upon reasonable academic request.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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