A Porcine Model of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment and Repair With Pars Plana Vitrectomy and Silicone Oil Tamponade

Jonathan F Russell; Timothy M Boyce; Lorena De Melo Haefeli; Stephen R Russell; Emily E Meyering; Mallory J Lang; Adam A Goeken; Ian C Han; Budd A Tucker

doi:10.1167/iovs.67.4.40

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A Porcine Model of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment and Repair With Pars Plana Vitrectomy and Silicone Oil Tamponade

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

A Porcine Model of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment and Repair With Pars Plana Vitrectomy and Silicone Oil Tamponade

Jonathan F Russell, Timothy M Boyce, Lorena De Melo Haefeli, Stephen R Russell, Emily E Meyering, Mallory J Lang, Adam A Goeken, Ian C Han and Budd A Tucker

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science, Vol.67(4), 40

04/01/2026

DOI: 10.1167/iovs.67.4.40

PMID: 41995439

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a porcine model of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) associated with posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) that can be used to evaluate surgical repair with small-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) utilizing contemporary methods. A total of 11 eyes from 7 Yucatan minipigs underwent 23-gauge PPV, triamcinolone-assisted PVD induction, retinal detachment creation using subretinal injection of balanced salt solution (BSS), and creation of an iatrogenic retinal break. In seven eyes, the induced RRD was repaired with fluid-air exchange, laser photocoagulation, and silicone oil tamponade. Another four eyes were planned, un-reattached RRD controls, and the remaining three eyes were used as non-surgical controls. Animals were examined 1 month postoperatively with indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and full-field electroretinography (ERG). Animals were euthanized and processed for histopathologic analysis. At 1 month postoperatively, all seven surgically repaired eyes remained attached under oil, with no observed complications. Two of four unrepaired control eyes demonstrated persistent and progressive retinal detachments, whereas the other two unrepaired eyes had spontaneously reattached retinas with variably sized retinal folds. Current conventional vitrectomy surgery methods can be used to create a pig model of RRD and successful repair with PPV, laser retinopexy, and silicone oil tamponade. This model may be useful for investigations regarding cellular and molecular changes associated with RRD pathogenesis and response to repair, as well as for comparing new surgical instrumentation, techniques, and tamponade agents for retinal reattachment.

Animals

Disease Models, Animal

Electroretinography

Endotamponade - methods

Female

Laser Coagulation

Ophthalmoscopy

Retina - physiopathology

Retinal Detachment - diagnosis

Retinal Detachment - physiopathology

Retinal Detachment - surgery

Silicone Oils - administration & dosage

Swine

Swine, Miniature

Tomography, Optical Coherence

Vitrectomy - methods

Details

Title: Subtitle: A Porcine Model of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment and Repair With Pars Plana Vitrectomy and Silicone Oil Tamponade
Creators: Jonathan F Russell - University of Iowa
Timothy M Boyce - University of Iowa
Lorena De Melo Haefeli - University of Iowa
Stephen R Russell - University of Iowa
Emily E Meyering - University of Iowa
Mallory J Lang - University of Iowa
Adam A Goeken - University of Iowa, The University of Iowa Institute for Vision Research
Ian C Han - University of Iowa
Budd A Tucker - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science, Vol.67(4), 40
DOI: 10.1167/iovs.67.4.40
PMID: 41995439
NLM abbreviation: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci
ISSN: 1552-5783
eISSN: 1552-5783
Language: English
Date published: 04/01/2026
Academic Unit: The University of Iowa Institute for Vision Research; Neuroscience and Pharmacology; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Record Identifier: 9985153533302771

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