[C3F8 in the treatment of retinal detachment associated with vitreoretinal proliferation]

The perfluoropropane gas was used as an adjunct to vitreoretinal microsurgery in 60 eyes of 60 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy. 0.3 ml to 1.8 ml (average 0.9 ml) of pure perfluoropropane gas was used. The surgical procedure included vitrectomy and scleral buckling in all patients. The follow-up after complete gas absorption ranged from 6 months to 3 years in the successful eyes. Total retinal reattachment was achieved in 41 eyes (68.3%). The anatomical success rate was 88% (22/25 eyes) in grade C1-C2 PVR cases, 68.7% (11/15 eyes) in grade C3-D1 PVR cases, and 42% (8/19 eyes) in grade D2-D3 PVR cases. Visual acuity of 0.1 or better was achieved in 80% of eyes with grade C PVR and 61% of eyes with grade D PVR. Visual acuity of 0.4 or better was achieved in 26.9% of eyes with grade C PVR. Macular changes were revealed by fluorescein angiography in 53% of successful eyes. We recommend the use of C3F8 rather than SF6 in the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated by PVR. In our experience the anatomical success rate achieved with C3F8 is approximately the same as that achieved with SF6. However permanent retinal reattachment was achieved with a single operation in 87.8% of successful eyes of the present series of patients managed with C3F8 as compared to only 12% of successful eyes of a previous series of patients managed with SF6. The anatomical results achieved with a single operation in the C3F8 series are probably related to the greater longevity of C3F8 as compared to that of SF6.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)