Complications caused by perfluorocarbon liquid used in pars plana vitrectomy / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess the inadvertent intraocular retention of perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) after vitreoretinal surgery and their complications. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 108 patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgeries using intraoperative PFCL (perfluoro-n-octane (C8F18), 0.69 centistoke at 25degrees C, PERFLUORN(R), Alcon, USA) and the removal of PFCL through fluid-air exchange. The analysis was focused on the occurrence of intraocular retained PFCL, diagnoses,surgicalprocedures,andcomplications. RESULTS: Retinal detachment (51 cases, 47%) was the most common surgery which used PFCL intraoperatively. Other causes were vitreous hemorrhage (24 cases, 22%), posteriorly dislocated lens (22 cases, 21%), and trauma (11 cases, 10%). Intraocular PFCL was found in a total of 9 (8.3%) eyes. PFCL bubbles remained in anterior chamber and vitreous cavity were observed in 4 cases and subretinal retained PFCL was observed in 5 cases. Three of 5 cases of subretinal PFCL exhibited in subfoveal space. Among the three subfoveal cases, macular hole developed after PFCL removal in 1 case, epiretinal membrane in the area where had been PFCL bubble. However, we observed no complications in 1 case of subfoveal PFCL that was removed by surgery. PFCL in anterior chamber and vitreous cavity were in 4 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of subfoveal PFCL might affect visual and anatomic outcomes. However, subfoveal PFCL may induce visual complications, and therefore requires special attention.