To compare the recurrence percentage and risk factors of recurrence in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) by in two groups of patients according to combined cataract surgery.

The recurrence percentage of RRD and risk factors after PPV over 20 years, performed by a single surgeon from January 1997 to September 2016, were retrospectively evaluated by classification into two groups according to combined cataract surgery. The risk factors were the patients' factors (age and sex), duration of disease, preoperative visual analyses, posterior capsular tears (PCR) during cataract surgery, the tamponade used, retinal detachment ranges, macular status, number and position of retinal tears, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) grade, and vitreous opacity. A total of 158 cases were included in the study.

The recurrence percentage of RRD was not associated with combined cataract surgery. In the combined cataract surgery group, PCR ( p = 0.020), inferior retinal tears ( p = 0.037), and PVR above grade B ( p = 0.037) were associated with the recurrence of RRD using univariate logistic regression analyses, but PCR (odds ratio 1.880, p = 0.021) was the only significant risk factor for RRD using multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Cataract surgery can be performed at any time, but there should be consideration of the recurrence of RRD if there was PCR during combined cataract surgery.