Perfluorocarbon Liquids to assist in Surgical
Management of Diabetic Traction Detachments
Vincent Reppucci (New York)
The adequate identification
and release of vitreoretinal traction is a requirement for intraoperative
management of Diabetic Traction Detachments. This presentation will summarize
how perfluorocarbon liquids, specifically perfluoro-n-octane (PFO) or
Perfluoron®, assist in the identification and removal of epiretinal
and retinal membranes during vitreous surgery for diabetic traction detachment.
PFO is helpful because the increased density creates a tamponading and
stretching effect which reveals areas of traction. This stabilizes the
retina and provides counterpressure so that preretinal membranes can be
more easily and safely removed often times en-bloc. During the segmentation
or dissection of diabetic epicenters PFO acts as a
third hand helping identify and maintain surgical planes and additionally
directs any hemorrhage from vascularized membranes away from the macula
to the peripheral edge of the PFO-fluid interface preventing the
reformation of macular hemorrhagic fibrin membranes and improving visualization.