Perfluorocarbon liquid left in vitreous cavity after recovery of dropped nuclei by anterior segment surgeons after cataract surgery.
BACKGROUND
Perfluorocarbon liquid (PFC) has been used for almost 2 decades in many intraocular procedures. In this report we comment on 3 patients with retained PFC in vitreous cavity (VC) following complicated phacoemulsification surgery.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


RESULTS
All patients had pars plana vitrectomy performed after the initial complicated cataract surgery in which PFC was inappropriately used to recover a dropped nuclei. The time between the first and the second surgery was 1 week for the first patient, 2 weeks for the second patient, and 3 months for the third patient. A better outcome was seen in the patient with the shorter interval between the surgeries. Reduced visual acuity, retinal and optic nerve pallor were found in the patient that had the PFC in the VC for a longer period.


CONCLUSIONS
Complete consideration of the potential risks should be performed before attempting to recover fallen nuclei by injecting PFC. If complications cannot be resolved in the same surgical procedure, it is advisable to reschedule the patient for a posterior segment surgery.
Giuliari
Gian Paolo
GP
Retina-Vitreous Department, Dr. Elias Santana Hospital, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. gpgiuliari@gmail.com
Cortez
María Angélica
MA
Ubiera
Juan
J
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D007906:Lens Subluxation / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects
D005466:Fluorocarbons