Jornal de Oftalmologia Clínica e Experimental
Acesso livre

Abstrato

Subretinal Lavage to Prevent Persistent Subretinal Fluid after Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Surgery: A Study of Feasibility and Safety

Marc Veckeneer , Elisabeth van Aken, David Wong, Rudolf Reyniers and Jan van Meurs

Purpose: To report the proof of concept of a surgical innovation.
 
Background: Optical coherence tomography often identifies persistent subretinal fluid (PSF) after apparently successful retinal detachment repair surgery. Based on the literature, we hypothesised that highly viscous PSF, which interferes with the normal function of the retinal pigment epithelium, can lead to these persistent blebs. We therefore devised a novel surgical manoeuvre of subretinal lavage to dilute the subretinal fluid (SRF) during surgery. We expected that this would reduce the incidence of PSF.
 
Methods: We report our experience with a modified surgical drainage technique carried out in 12 eyes of 12 patients with long standing retinal detachments. We implemented subretinal lavage combined with vitrectomy and gas.
 
Results: None of the patients developed PSF.
 
Conclusion: We concluded that the novel technique of subretinal lavage was safe and feasible. We propose that a controlled trial would be worthwhile.