OBJECTIVE:

To analyze the efficacy of the panoramic viewing system (PVS) Reinverting Operating Lens System (ROLS) and the plano-concave Landers lens system in pars plana vitectomy (PPV).

METHODS:

The authors retrospectively analyzed the records of 117 PPV, 87 patients, performed between December 1996 and August 1998. The PPV was divided into two groups. Group 1 included 54 surgeries, with the Landers system. Group 2 included 63 surgeries with the ROLS.

RESULTS:

There were no statistical significant differences between the two groups, regarding pre and postoperative parameters. Surgeries employing the Landers system had an average time significantly higher than the ROLS group (p<0.001). When the surgical time was analyzed according to the disease, surgeries lasted significantly longer when the Landers system was used (p<0.05), except for the Uveitis group (p= 0.262). Surgeries in group 2 required less air-fluid and lens exchanges, less use of perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL), and less need for scleral depression during the procedure.

CONCLUSION:

The use of ROLS significantly reduced the time for PPV, lowering the need for air-fluid exchange, lens exchange, PFCL use, and scleral depression. The PVS ROLS offered several advantages over the Landers plano-concave lens system during the surgery, without changing the final results.