Heavy tamponade 2 Densiron 68 in routine clinical practice: anatomical and functional outcomes of a consecutive case...

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Densiron 68 in the clinical management of complex vitreoretinal cases with inferior retinal pathology.

We present a prospective interventional non-comparative case series of 122 eyes of 121 consecutive patients. The primary end point was anatomical re-attachment of the retina, defined as retinal re-attachment in the absence of any tamponade agent. The secondary end point was to record the visual function and surgical complications. Inclusion criteria were proliferative vitreoretinopathy, posterior or inferior retinal breaks, and the patient's inability to posture.

Patients were 59.9 years (+/- 19.6), (m/f= 72:49), (R/L=65:57). Seventy-seven (63.1%) had previous unsuccessful retinal surgery and 45 had Densiron 68 at first procedure. The extent of the detachments was 2.21 quadrants (+/- 1.07) with macular involvement in 66 cases (54%). Eighty-seven (71.3%) patients achieved retinal re-attachment with one retinal operation and ultimately no tamponade, 102 (83.6%) achieved retinal re-attachment with more than one operation and ultimately no tamponade, and 112 (91.3%) patients achieved flat retina with tamponade in situ. Visual acuity rose from 1.38 LogMar (+/- 0.87) to 1.06 (+/- 0.83) (P=0.007). Densiron was removed after 135 days (+/- 73.2; range 35-405).

No tamponade agent can provide simultaneous support for the superior as well as the inferior retina; therefore, a tamponade agent that 'sinks' is a welcome new tool at the surgeon's disposal. The sequential use of heavy silicone oil followed by conventional silicone oil may be an acceptable management strategy in recurrent detachment.