Displacement of Retained Subfoveal Perfluorocarbon Liquid After Vitreoretinal Surgery

Objective

To report a novel surgical procedure to displace retained subfoveal perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL).

Methods

Retrospective cases series. Three patients had retained subfoveal droplets after PFCL was used in vitrectomy repair of retinal detachment. In each case, submacular PFCL was displaced to the subretinal space in the inferior periphery. A retinal detachment at the posterior pole and the inferior periphery was created by injecting balanced salt solution through a retinal puncture near the inferotemporal vessels. Fluid-air exchange was performed, followed by short-term postoperative upright head positioning.

Results

In all cases, PFCL droplets were successfully displaced toward the inferior periphery, with good visual recovery.

Conclusion

This procedure seems to be safe and is an alternative to direct aspiration of PFCL through a juxtafoveal retinotomy, which risks damage to the foveal region.