Comparison of two techniques for perfluoropropane gas fill in the management of retinal detachment

Abstract

Objective: This study compared the efficacy and safety of fixed-concentration (FC) and fixed-volume (FV) methods of perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas fill following retinal-detachment surgery. Methods: We conducted a prospective, interventional, randomized clinical trial involving consecutive eyes with retinal detachment and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (Grade C) that underwent combined pars plana vitrectomy, lensectomy, panretinal photocoagulation, perfluoropropane gas (C3F8)/fluid exchange, and scleral buckling. Ten eyes underwent C3F8/air exchange using 50 cc of 20% C3F8 (FC method) and 10 eyes received a single pars plana injection of 1 cc of 100% C3F8 (FV method). The main outcome measures included postoperative gas volumes (GV), intraocular pressure (IOP), and retinal-reattachment rate. The mean follow-up period was 10 weeks. Results: On weeks 0, 2, 4, 8, the mean GV were 3%, 7%, 50%, and 9% for the FC group and 94%, 4%, 49%, and 13% for the FV group. One eye from each group developed IOP elevation above 30 mm Hg. There were no significant differences in GV and IOP between the two groups during the 10 weeks of follow-up. The retinal reattachment rate was 90% for both groups. Conclusion: FC and FV methods of C3F8 gas fill are comparable in terms of postinjection GV, IOP, and retinal-reattachment rates.

Keywords

• perfluoropropane gas
• retinal detachment
• retinal-reattachment surgery
• proliferative vitreoretinopathy