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Published on: September 13, 2016
[Removal of centrally located subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid]
1Institut Abteilung Augenheilkunde, Universitätsmedizin Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen. mpfriem@yahoo.de
Background:
Subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) droplets are occassionally seen after vitreoretinal surgery for retinal detachment. Usually they are located peripherally without causing complications and therapeutic consequences. In contrast, centrally located PFCL droplets affect final visual outcomes. In animal experiments subretinal PFCL has caused direct toxic effects on photoreceptor cells and retinal pigment epithelium.
Patients And Methods:
We report about the rare event of a centrally located subretinal PFCL droplet in 2 patients, their surgical removal and functional outcome. In both patients a PFCL droplet remained subretinally after primary vitrectomy for a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. In patient 1 the PFCL droplet 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. Vision and central scotoma improved in both patients markedly. No complications due to the mini-retinotomy could be observed.
Conclusion:
Centrally located PFCL droplets are decreasing vision and should be surgically removed. A transretinal removal of subretinal PFCL droplets is possible and the iatrogenic damage seems acceptable.
