[Perfluoropropane for the treatment of retinal detachment]

Perfluoropropane (C3F8) is an ideal intravitreal gas tamponade in retinal detachment surgery and vitrectomy, as it is nontoxic, expansive and slowly absorbable. Domestic C3F8 of 99.7% purity was produced and used in 1990. An initial series of 120 cases received the pure or air-mixed C3F8 injection into the vitreal cavity during the retinal reattachment procedure. Application of the gas simplified the treatment of macular holes with retinal detachment, facilitated the replacement of everted retinal flaps of giant tears, and flattened the retina with vitrectomy.