Brief report
Removal of retained subfoveal perfluoro-n-octane liquid

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Abstract

Purpose

To report a novel technique to remove retained submacular perfluorocarbon liquid.

Design

Retrospective cases series.

Methods

Two patients with retained subfoveal perfluorocarbon liquid were treated with this technique. With a three-port pars plana approach, a 39-gauge flexible cannula was used to perform a retinotomy adjacent to the subfoveal perfluorocarbon bubble. The tip of the cannula was inserted into the bubble, which was removed with active suction.

Results

Both patients underwent successful removal of the perfluorocarbon liquid without complications. In one patient, visual acuity improved from 20/70 to 20/30, with resolution of his preoperative central scotoma. The second patient required removal of subfoveal perfluorocarbon liquid at the time of silicone oil removal. The preoperative vision of finger counting improved to 20/60.

Conclusions

Subretinal perfluorocarbon can be removed using a flexible 39-gauge cannula without inducing retinal detachment or making a large retinotomy. This technique may benefit patients with retained subfoveal perfluorocarbon liquid.

Section snippets

Case 1

A 52-year-old man underwent retinal detachment repair in the right eye with a scleral buckling procedure. He later developed proliferative vitreoretinopathy, which required vitrectomy surgery, an inferior retinotomy, and the use of perfluorocarbon liquid. Postoperatively, he complained of a central scotoma due to retained subfoveal PFO (Figure 1). Six months after vitreoretinal surgery, he was referred to the Cole Eye Institute at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and underwent surgical removal

Case 2

A 49-year-old man with high myopia underwent retinal reattachment surgery in the right eye, involving a scleral buckle, vitrectomy, and perfluorocarbon liquid. He later developed proliferative vitreoretinopathy, which required vitrectomy surgery, a nasal retinotomy, the use of perfluorocarbon liquid, and silicone oil. Retained subfoveal PFO was noted postoperatively. Silicone oil was removed 1 month later, at which time the subfoveal retained perfluorcarbon liquid was removed as well. A

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