Application of perfluorocarbon liquid in the removal of metallic intraretinal foreign bodies.
BACKGROUND
Virectomy is recognized as one of the best effective methods for removing interetinal foreign bodies, but many authors showed complications during or after removing IOFB. The purpose of our study was to show that the use of perfluorocarbon liquid minimizes complications during pars plana vitrectomy for the removal of metallic intraretinal foreign bodies (IRFBs).


METHODS
Fourteen consecutive eyes presenting with penetrating eye injury and intraretinal foreign bodies had previously undergone vitrectomy with injection of perfluorocarbon liquids and removal of IRFBs. In all cases a silicon oil or gas C3F8 tamponade was performed. In one case the removal of the foreign body was combined with repair of retinal detachment using internal tamponade with silicon oil.


RESULTS
After a mean follow-up of 16.4 months, 78.5% of the eyes had recovered better than 20/70 vision, and 92.8% had attached retina. One patient had endophthalmitis and phthisis, and perioperative complications were encountered in two cases. In one case there was a limited hemorrhage, intraretinal, while the other complication was a retinal detachment, which was immediately corrected. In the follow-up period endophthalmitis and lens opacity was found in one patient and epiretinal membrane in another case. These postoperative complications were repaired by additional surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
The usage of perfluorocarbon liquid is effective for removal of intraretinal foreign bodies, and allows to minimize intraoperative complications.
Vartanyan
Armen H
AH
S.V. Malayan Ophthalmologic Center, Vitreo-Retinal Center, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, Futchik str. 30, Yerevan, Armenia. hrach@arminco.com
Hovhannisyan
Tadevos A
TA
D000328:Adult; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000601:surgery*; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged
D005466:Fluorocarbons; D008670:Metals