Materials and Methods: Thirteen eyes of 12 patients with giant retinal tears and retinal detachment were operated on at Dokuz Eylul University Ophthalmology Department between January 2005 and April 2007. All patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy, perfluorocarbon liquid injection, 360° endolaser photocoagulation application, and silicone oil exchange. Scleral buckles were placed and retinectomies were performed in four eyes that had already undergone proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) before surgery.

Results: The retina was attached in 12 out of the 13 eyes. Recurrent retinal detachment occurred in one eye due to proliferative vitreo retinopathy. The silicone oil was removed in 12 eyes after a mean time of 7.3 months (6 months-9 months). The mean follow-up period was 15.2 months (12 months-18 months). Best visual acuity after the surgery was noted between finger counting (3 meters) and 6/10. Postoperative hypotony occurred in two eyes, one eye had epiretinal membrane formation, and various grades of cataract formation developed in seven eyes.

Conclusion: Successful functional and anatomic results were obtained with pars plana vitrectomy, perflorocarbon liquid injection, 360° endolaser photocoagulation application, and silicone oil exchange in the management of retinal detachment from giant retinal tears. Scleral buckle and retinectomy can be used as an additional treatment approach, especially with severe PVR formation. Keywords : Endolaser photocoagulation, giant retinal tear, pars plana vitrectomy, scleral buckle, silicone oil.