Objective To evaluate the anatomical and functional results of retinotomy in treatment of complicated retinal detachment. Methods Twenty-three eyes were treated with retinectomy during vitrectomy for complicated retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy when complete reattachment of retina was not obtained despite careful mambrane peeling. After released the peripheral vitreoretinal contraction or pulled subretinal membranes, perfluorocarbon liquid injection, laser retinopexy and silicone oil tamponade were performed. Retinotomy size ranged from 30-degree to 360-degree (average 132-degree). Results Retinal attachment were obtained in all of the operated eyes at the end of the operation. Silicone oil was removed from 15 eyes (65．0%) within 3～11 months postoperatively. After a minimum follow-up of 6 months, the retinae were completely attached in 17 eyes ( silicone oil was not removed in 4 eyes ) and visual acuity of 0.02 or better was obtained in 11 eye (48．0%). Recurrent retinal detachment occurred in 2 eyes in which the silicone oil had been removed. The major complications were recurrence of the proliferation in 6 eyes (26．0%) and hypotony in 3 eyes (13．0%). Conclusion Retinotomy is beneficial to reattach the retina for eyes with advanced proliferative vitreoretinopathy in seemin gly inoperable cases. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2001,17:87-89)