Buckling with equatorial mattress suture in retinal detachment.

Buckling procedures are useful in securing successful re-attachment of the retina. Apart from their role in ensuring a contact between the retina and the choroid during the postoperative healing period, they also help to relax the pull exerted by the vitreous on the retina. When the traction exerted by the vitreous on the retina is marked, it is desirable to aim at a permanent buckling by the use of a circling element; in other cases a localized buckling procedui c may be adopted. In the latter condition, when a firm healing between the retina and the choroid occurs around the breaks, a subsequent gradual flattening of the buckle does not seem to endanger the final result of the operation. The technique described below is a simple procedure which can effect an adequate buckling which persists for a few weeks after operation, by which time a firm choroidoretinal adhesion is produced. It is most suitable for treating detachments involving only one quadrant of the retina, wvith one or a few small breaks (preferably holes) at one site.