[Vitreous Substitute in Retinal Detachment Surgery - Why We Need a New Tamponade Strategy]

Pars plana vitrectomy combined with an endotamponade is the most important concept in retinal detachment surgery. Numerous advances in techniques and tamponade materials have been made, but the general problems of retinal detachment surgery are still unsolved: The primary success rate is not adequate, and there is no adequate strategy to address proliferative vitreoretinopathy, multiple retinal breaks or persistent hypotony. The story of tamponades is full of myths and misunderstandings. A critical review shows that tamponades have only a minor role in the history of retinal detachment surgery. One might assume that the value of tamponades is overestimated. This may be because the underlying concept is limited: All available tamponades are hydrophobic, so they act by buoyant force and surface tension. This narrow focus on the hydraulic function allows only one tamponade vector and makes complete filling of the vitreous body space impossible. The hydrophobic character of the materials has fundamental disadvantages that tend to increase the risk of new breaks or PVR formation. Thus, a critical revaluation of the value of current tamponades is necessary. One solution might be to develop hydrogels as vitreous body substitute. Such a hydrophilic vitreous body substitute fits the natural and complex function of a juvenile, healthy vitreous much better than gas or silicone oil.