Does Perfluoro-n-Octane use in 23G Vitrectomy for Retinal Detachment Surgery Affect the Integrity of the Ellipsoid Zone?

Abstract

Purpose To examine the integrity of the ellipsoid zone after perfluoro-n-octane use for reattachment of the central retina in macula-off retinal detachment cases. Methods Intraoperative video documentation with microscope-integrated intraoperative spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) of 10 consecutive patients with macula-off retinal detachment, scheduled for primary vitrectomy for retinal detachment repair, was retrospectively examined for defects in the integrity of the ellipsoid zone due to perfluoro-n-octane use. Results Successful intraoperative visualization was possible in all cases, retinal detachment was reattached in all cases, but residual islands of subretinal fluid persisted directly after perfluoro-n-octane use in 80% of cases. These were resorbed in all cases in the postoperative OCTs. Disturbances in the integrity of the ellipsoid zone or intraoperative macular hole formation did not present in any of our cases. Conclusions Perfluoro-n-octane use seems to be a safe procedure regarding integrity of the ellipsoid zone in cases scheduled for primary vitrectomy for retinal detachment repair.