Subretinal Perfluorocarbon Liquid (PFCL) after Vitrectomy; A Case Report And Review of Literature

To report a case of retained subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) after vitrectomy and to discuss the diagnosis and management of subretinal PFCL based on literature review.

A 57-year-old female patient underwent 3-port 23-gauge vitrectomy for advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy and combined tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. During the surgery, PFCL and Silicon Oil injections were used to attach and stabilize the retina in the vitreous space with an endolaser. After the surgery and the follo-up, a small subretinal droplet at the macula outside the fovea was seen. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed retained subfoveal PFCL, based on which the clinical and paraclinical characteristics suggested Retained Subretinal PFCL for the patient. The patient was successfully followed without complication because the volume of PFCL was low and the location of PFCL was outside the fovea. Reviewing the literature sheds light on the use of PFCL in retinal retinopexy and the retained PFCL characteristics in the subretinal space, differential diagnoses, and methods of dealing with Retained Subretinal PFCL.

Reviewing the literature over the past few decades introduces the various dimensions of this issue and the suitable approaches to deal with it. Based on the findings of OCT, retained PFCL can be distinguished from other similar cases and, according to the site of the retained fluid and the complications, decisions can be made concerning the appropriate treatment, including follow-up or surgery.