[Use of liquid perfluorocarbons in vitrectomy for difficult cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy].

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Thanks to their physical properties, could perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCL) be useful during vitrectomy for severe cases of proliferative diabetic vitreo-retinopathy (PDVR)?

METHODS:

Among 120 vitrectomies for PDVR performed in a period of time from August 1992 to July 1993, we reviewed 24 cases with a minimal follow-up of six months for which we have used PFCL as intraoperative tool. Among these eyes, three (12%) were preoperatively attached, seven (29%) presented with a tractional retinal detachment sparing the macular area and 14 (59%) with a retinal detachment involving the macula. The indication for PFCL injection was either to flatten the retina in case of iatrogenic tear or retinotomy (15/24 eyes) or to stop a bleeding coming from the optic disc (9/24). The aim was to allow a good laser endophotocoagulation in all the cases and to inject an intraocular tamponade on a reattached retina if needed. As final tamponade, silicone oil was used in 10 eyes, gas in nine eyes and none in five eyes.

RESULTS:

At the end of the study, 20 (83%) eyes had a totally reattached retina and four (17%) a detached retina. The postoperative compared to the preoperative visual acuity was improved in 13 eyes (54%), unchanged in seven eyes (30%) and decreased in four eyes (16%). In one case (4%), some droplets of PFCL were noticed in the vitreous cavity, under the silicone oil bubble, with a good clinical tolerance. No specific complication of PFCL injection could be found in the 23 other eyes.

CONCLUSION:

In some selected cases of severe PDVR, the use of PFCL may help to flatten the retina, to stop bleeding from the optic disc and to perform a good endolaser photocoagulation. This allows to achieve good anatomical and visual results with few specific complications.

• Authors: Y Le Mer
• Journal: Journal francais d'ophtalmologie (J Fr Ophtalmol) Vol. 18 Issue 5 Pg. 366-72 ( 1995) ISSN: 0181-5512 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Utilisation des perfluorocarbones liquides au cours de la vitrectomie pour cas difficiles de rétinopathie diabétique proliférante.
• PMID: 7560772 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Fluorocarbons

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Diabetic Retinopathy (surgery)
• Eye Hemorrhage (surgery)
• Female
• Fluorocarbons (therapeutic use)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Laser Coagulation
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Visual Acuity
• Vitrectomy (adverse effects, methods)