Perfluorocarbon liquid-assisted intraocular foreign body removal.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Innovation
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) pose significant risks to vision, especially when located in the macula or posterior segment.
• Traditional methods for IOFB removal can be challenging, with risks of further ocular damage.
• Nonmagnetic IOFBs present unique retrieval difficulties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of perfluoro-N-octane (PFO) as a surgical adjunct for removing nonmagnetic intraocular foreign bodies.
• To demonstrate PFO's utility in protecting the posterior pole during IOFB retrieval procedures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of two consecutive cases involving posterior segment IOFBs.
• Surgical removal of nonmagnetic IOFBs using pars plana vitrectomy.
• Application of perfluoro-N-octane (PFO) to manipulate and stabilize IOFBs.

Main Results:

• Perfluoro-N-octane (PFO) successfully facilitated the sliding of nonmagnetic IOFBs away from the macula for safer extraction.
• PFO provided protection against IOFB drops, safeguarding the posterior pole during initial removal attempts.
• Both cases involved complex IOFBs, including glass and metallic fragments, in zone 1 open globe injuries.

Conclusions:

• Perfluoro-N-octane (PFO) is a valuable surgical adjunct in pars plana vitrectomy for removing specific nonmagnetic intraocular foreign bodies.
• PFO offers a novel approach to enhance safety and efficacy in complex IOFB removal surgeries.
• The use of PFO can potentially reduce complications associated with IOFB retrieval from critical posterior segment structures.