ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of small-gauge vitrectomy (SGV) treatment for proliferative diabetic tractional (PDR) with retinal detachment (TRD). MethodsThe data of 42 patients (50 eyes) with PDR combined with TRD who had received SGV treatment were retrospectively analyzed. There were 22 males and 20 females, with an average age of (44.5±11.2) years. There were 16 eyes with TRD involving the macular area, 34 eyes without TRD involving the macular area. The eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment or retinal hole were excluded. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was worse than finger counting in 18 eyes, worse than 0.1 in 15 eyes, 0.1-0.3 in 16 eyes and better than or equal to 0.3 in 1 eye. Post-operative tamponade was delivered for patients with iatrogenic retinal breaks, including 5 eyes with long-acting gas and 7 eyes with silicone oil. The mean follow-up time was 9.7 months. The visual outcome, rate of retinal reattachment and complications were analyzed. ResultsThe visual acuity improved in 34 eyes (68.0%), unchanged in 12 eyes (24.0%) and decreased in 4 eyes (8.0%). The difference of visual acuity before and after surgery was statistically significant (t=7.087, P<0.01).The total rate of retinal reattachment was 96%, and 84% of eyes achieved anatomic reattachment after single surgery. The rate of retinal reattachment was 89.5% (34/38) for these eyes without iatrogenic retinal breaks, 4/38 eyes without iatrogenic retinal breaks still had retinal detachment in 3 months after surgery and received tamponade of long-acting gas or silicone oil. The rate of retinal reattachment was 66.7% (8/12) for these eyes with iatrogenic retinal breaks and received post-operative tamponade. There were 17 eyes experienced postoperative vitreous hemorrhage, which were treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibodies or vitreous cavity lavage. There were 9 eyes with transient ocular hypertension, and 4 eyes with neovascular glaucoma (NVG). Among 4 eyes with NVG, 2 of which were controlled through anti-VEGF treatment or laser treatment, and 2 eyes of 2 patients refused to have further treatment. ConclusionSGV is safe and effective treatment for PDR combined with TRD, and intraocular tamponade is not necessary in the absence of iatrogenic retinal break.