Complications of Perfluorocarbon Liquids as an Intraoperative Tool

Kim, Min Ho; Chung, Sang Moon; Chang, Kwang Yul; Lee, Kyung Tak

Abstract

Perfluorocarbon liquids(PFCLs) have recently been used to facilitate surgery in a variety of condition, including proliferative vitreoretinopathy, giant retinal tears, diabetic tractions, retinal detachment with a rhegmatous component, dislocated crystalline lenses. Although the ocular toxicity of PFCLs has been evaluated in a number of animal studies, few reports have focused on ocular complications associated with their clinical use. We evaluated complications of PFCLs as an intraoperative tool in a series of 55 patients. We had used two kinds of PFCLs, Vitreon(perfluorophenanthrene) and DK-line(perfluorodecaline) intraoperatively. 10 eyes had intraoperative complications. Subretinal PFCLs(6 eyes), subretinal hemorrhage(3 eyes), subretinal hemorrhage with subretinal PFCLs(1 eye) were observed. Postoperative complications of PFCLs as an only intraoperative tool were preretinal small dreplets(4 eyes), subretinal small droplets(4 eyes) and small dreplets in anterior chamber(2 eyes). In case of posterior retinal break, careful injection should be considered. Postoperative small residual droplet of perfluorocarbon in sub- and preretinal space did not cause any toxic effects in these patients. But remained droplet in anterior chamber should be removed to avoid significant corneal toxity.