Hemostatic effects of SF6 after diabetic vitrectomy for vitreous hemorrhage.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the hemostatic effects of SF6 gas in preventing postoperative vitreous hemorrhage in diabetic vitrectomy.


METHODS
A prospective, randomized study of 33 diabetic eyes with vitreous hemorrhage, treated by vitrectomy. In 17 of our cases SF6 20% was injected into the eye at the end of the operation, while in 16 cases BSS remained in the vitreous cavity.


RESULTS
The incidence of vitreous hemorrhage recurrence was 17.6% for the SF6 group and 12.5% for the BSS group (statistically not significant). Progression of lens opacities was observed in 23.5% of the SF6 group, and in 18.8% of the BSS group (statistically not significant, with a higher incidence in the SF6 group).


CONCLUSIONS
SF6 gas did not show hemostatic effects in the cases studied. Furthermore, it may have contributed to cataract progression. Therefore we suggest that the use of SF6 is not recommended as a treatment modality in preventing new vitreous hemorrhage after diabetic vitrectomy.
Koutsandrea
C N
CN
University of Athens, Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Athens, Cholargos, Greece.
Apostolopoulos
M N
MN
Chatzoulis
D Z
DZ
Parikakis
E A
EA
Theodossiadis
G P
GP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000503:physiopathology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006487:Hemostasis; D006489:Hemostatic Techniques; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects; D014823:Vitreous Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*
D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride