Program list

SYMPOSIUM: WEAPONS CHOICES
SECTION: Tamponade
Moderators: Klaus Lucke, Athanasios Nikolakopoulos
Monday, September 15th, 2003 ; 8:30 - 10:30

REMOVAL OF SUBFOVEAL PERFLUOROCARBON LIQUID
Hans Hoerauf
Germany

Purpose: Subretinal PFCL-bubbles are frequently seen after vitreoretinal surgery. Usually they are located peripherally without causing complications and therapeutic consequences. We report about the rare event of a centrally located subretinal PFCL bubble in 2 patients, the surgical removal and functional outcome.
Patients and Methods: In both patients a PFCL bubble remained subretinal after primary vitrectomy for a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. In patient 1 the PFCL bubble was located subfoveally for 6 weeks, in patient 2 underneath the papillomacular bundle for 8 weeks causing severe visual loss. In both patients the PFCL was removed transretinally through a 32 gauge cannula.
Results: Vision and central scotoma improved in both patients markedly. No complications due to the mini retinotomy could be observed.
Conclusion: Subfoveal PFCL is decreasing vision and should be surgically removed. An early removal seems essential for visual improvement. Take home message: Subfoveal PFCL should be removed.