Comparison of 1000-centistoke versus 5000-centistoke silicone oil in complex retinal detachment surgery

Objective: To compare the efficacy and complications of using 1000-centistoke versus 5000-centistoke silicone oil for complex retinal detachment repair

---

Study Design: Case series

---

Place and Duration of Study: LRBT Tertiary Eye Hospital, Karachi, from January 2007 to June 2013

---

Methodology: Eighty-five eyes [85 patients] presenting with superior rhegmatogenous retinal detachments associated with PVR grades B and C [involving not more than 3 clock hours] were randomized to either 1000 centistokes [n=44] or 5000 centistokes [n=41] silicone oil group. All patients underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy surgery with silicone oil intraocular tamponade. Patient data was analysed at 18 months post-operatively. IBM SPSS 21 was used for data analysis

---

Results: There were 52 male and 33 female patients aged between 22 and 70 years [45.2 +/- 16.2]. After the first surgery, successful reattachment of the retina was achieved in 67 eyes [78.8%]; of which 35 eyes were in 1000-centistoke and 32 eyes in 5000-centistoke groups. Mean pre-operative Best Corrected Visual Acuity [BCVA] was 1.63 +/- 0.54 which was improved to a mean post-operative BCVA of 1.46 +/- 0.78 [1.42 +/- 0.74 in 1000-centistoke group; 1.49 +/- 0.78 in 5000 centistoke group]. The 1000-centistoke group had a significantly higher frequency of oil emulsification which necessitated early removal of silicone oil. There were 66 eyes [77%] with at least one complication [34 eyes in 1000-centistoke group; 32 eyes in 5000-centistoke group] including cataract, corneal abnormalities, raised IOP, hypotony, vitreous haemorrhage and retinal redetachment

---

Conclusion: Although visual and anatomical outcomes were comparable between the two groups, the 1000-centistoke silicone oil group developed early oil emulsification necessitating its early removal