Giant retinal tears. Surgical techniques and results using perfluorodecalin and silicone oil tamponade

Intraoperative use of perfluorocarbon liquids in the management of giant retinal tears was introduced about 4 years ago. Twenty-four patients were operated on for giant retinal tears using perfluorodecalin and silicone oil tamponade. All patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy, unfolding of the giant retinal tears by perfluorodecalin, perfluorodecalin-silicone oil exchange, and endophotocoagulation. The lens was removed in 10 of 14 phakic patients, and encircling scleral buckle was placed in 18 cases. Twenty-three of 24 retinas remained successfully attached with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up. Short-term results of intraoperative use of perfluorodecalin and silicone oil tamponade in the management of giant retinal tears are encouraging. Perfluorodecalin offers the advantage of low cost compared with other perfluoro-carbon liquids like perfluoro-n-octane. The exchange with silicone oil offers the advantages of easy removal of perfluorodecalin and absence of posterior slippage of the retinal tear.