Fully Automated Direct Perfluorocarbon Liquid-Silicone Oil Exchange

Kinza T Ahmad; Ahmed B Sallam; Ahmed A Saad; Abdallah A Ellabban

doi:10.2147/OPTH.S282301

Fully Automated Direct Perfluorocarbon Liquid-Silicone Oil Exchange

Clin Ophthalmol. 2020 Dec 10:14:4355-4358. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S282301. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Kinza T Ahmad¹, Ahmed B Sallam¹, Ahmed A Saad^{2

3}, Abdallah A Ellabban^{4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for the Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
² Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
³ James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK.
⁴ Hull University Teaching Hospitals, Hull, UK.
⁵ Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

Abstract

Purpose: To demonstrate a modified technique of fully automated direct perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL)-silicone oil (SO) exchange.

Materials and methods: This technique is indicated for cases that require direct PFCL-SO exchange as in giant retinal tear or large retinectomies to avoid retinal slippage. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is carried out in standard fashion; then the dual active injection/extrusion mode is activated in the vitrectomy machine. The machine parameters are set at approximately 30-40 psi for SO injection and 150-250 mmHg for active PFCL aspiration. In this method, both the SO injection and the PFCL extrusion are simultaneously controlled by the foot pedal.

Results: We used this technique for a total of 24 cases: 6 cases of giant retinal tears and 18 retinectomies. We did not encounter any complications related to significant IOP spike during surgery or complete removal of the PFCL.

Conclusion: This automated technique for direct PFCL-SO exchange maintains a controlled balance between SO injection and PFCL aspiration, that mitigates the risk of intraoperative IOP spikes. It is safe, quick, and can be performed without the need of an assistant or extra chandelier light or high-pressure viscous tubing.

Keywords: PFCL; giant retinal tear; perfluorocarbon liquid; retinectomy; silicone oil; vitrectomy.

Grants and funding

There is no funding to report.