Orbital Gas after 25-Gauge Pars Plana Vitrectomy with Incorrect Gas Mixture

Abstract

We present 2 cases of sutureless 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and fluid-gas exchange, in which incorrect gas concentrations likely led to elevated intraocular pressures and retrobulbar gas. Combined removal of orbital gas with anterior orbitotomy and pars plana vitrectomy was performed in the first case to address expanding intraocular and retrobulbar gas resulting from a suspected error in gas dilution. Vitreous and orbital gas removal by needling was effective in the second case. In patients with elevated intraocular pressure and orbital gas accumulation after vitrectomy, combined intraocular and orbital decompressions were effective in optimizing clinical outcomes. There is no consensus regarding the best management of orbital gas after vitrectomy. We propose that a multidisciplinary technique should be considered, when available.

Keywords

• retrobulbar gas
• orbital decompression
• small-gauge pars plana vitrectomy
• vitreoretinal surgery