Short-Term Vitreoretinal Tamponade with Heavy Liquid Following Surgery for Giant Retinal Tear

Abstract

ABSTRACTPurpose: To study the efficacy and outcomes of short-term postoperative vitreoretinal tamponade with perfluorocarbon heavy liquid in patients with giant retinal tear.Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 13 consecutive patients (13 eyes) who presented with giant retinal tear at a tertiary medical center in 2011–2015 and were treated with vitrectomy followed by short-term tamponade with perfluorocarbon heavy liquid. A minimum of 3 months’ follow-up was required for inclusion. The medical charts were retrospectively reviewed for patient demographics, procedural specifics, anatomical attachment rates, pre- and postoperative visual acuity, and postoperative complications.Results: The duration of perfluorocarbon tamponade ranged from 6 to 13 days (mean ± SD 10 ± 2 days). Follow-up time ranged from 3 to 44 months (mean ± SD 11 ± 11 months). Retinal reattachment was achieved intraoperatively in all patients. Repeated detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy occurred in one patient (8%), who underwent repeated vitrectomies. At the last follow-up visit, the retina was attached in all patients. Best-corrected visual acuity improved postoperatively compared with preoperatively in all three patients with macula-off retinal detachment (100%) and was equal to or better than the initial best-corrected visual acuity in 6 (60%) of the 10 patients with macula-on retinal detachment. Complications included increased intraocular pressure, cataract, and cystoid macular edema.Conclusions: Perfluorocarbon heavy liquid is a safe and effective material for short-term vitreoretinal tamponade following vitrectomy for giant retinal tear.