Abstract
Purpose::
To compare the tolerance and efficacy of heavy silicone (perfluorohexyloctane in combination with silicone oil, Densiron*) with the standard silicone oil as an internal tamponade in retinal detachment surgery.
Methods::
We compared in retrospect twenty eyes injected with heavy silicone oil (heavy silicone = HS) and 31 eyes injected with standard silicone oil (standard silicone = SS) for retinal detachment. Preoperative status, surgical technique, tolerance, anatomical and functional results were analysed. Anterior and inferior retraction was present in 50% of cases in the HS group. Anterior (inferior or superior) retraction was observed in 58% in the SS group. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy grade C or higher was present in 70% of cases for the HS group and in 74% for the SS group (p=0.74). Mean follow-up was at least 3 months in both groups.
Results::
At the end of follow up, the retina was attached in 90% of cases for the HS group, in 67% for the SS group (p=0.06). Retinotomy was performed in 1% of cases for the HS group and in 29% for the SS group (p=0.1). At the end of observation, the internal tamponade was still present in 50% of cases in both groups (p=0.08). Severe inflammation was observed during the first postoperative week in 20% for the HS group and in 21% for the SS group (p=0.90). All patients were sensible to a local corticosteroid treatment. Elevated intra-ocular pressure above 25 mmHg was present in 27% of cases in the HS group and in 26% in the SS group (p=0.96). Local medical treatment was sufficient to control the intraocular pressure. Emulsion was noted in 19% in HS group and in 23% in SS group (p=0.76).
Conclusions::
Both, heavy silicone oil (Densiron*) and standard silicone oil are well tolerated without any major complication. However, Densiron* seems to lower the number of retinotomies in cases with inferior retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
Keywords: retinal detachment • proliferative vitreoretinopathy