• In a prospective evaluation of 154 consecutive retinal detachment procedures, the incidence of choroidal detachment was 39.6%. The age of the patient, drainage of subretinal fluid, and vortex compression by the explant seem to be the most important correlative factors. Scleral explantsup to one quadrant in circumferential length produced a minimal incidence (7.7%) of choroidal detachment. Posterior positioning of the explant also affected the incidence of choroidal detachment. After follow-up, ranging from six to 48 months, postoperative visual acuity was recorded for "macula-on" as well as "macula-off" retinal detachments. In the macula-on group, 78.6% of the patients with choroidal detachment retained a visual acuity of 20/50 or better compared with 82.8% of the patients without choroidal detachment. In the macula-off group, 43.2% of the patients with choroidal detachment achieved a visual acuity of 20/50 or better compared with 55.1% of the patients without choroidal detachment. The final anatomic success rate was 86.5% for eyes with choroidal detachment and 92.3% for eyes without choroidal detachment.