Expansion of long-acting gas bubbles for intraocular use. Principles and practice
J. J. Crittenden, E. de Juan Jr and J. Tiedeman
Expansion of long-acting gas bubbles used in vitreoretinal surgery may lead
to increased intraocular pressure and central retinal artery occlusion. To
further understand the principles controlling the expansion of long-acting
gases, we compared the expansion of perfluoropropane gas bubbles with that
of sulfur hexafluoride gas bubbles in an in vitro model, as well as in
rabbits. We found that perfluoropropane bubbles expand more rapidly and to
a greater extent than do sulfur hexafluoride bubbles in the first 24 hours.
The early rate of expansion of a long-acting gas is largely dependent on
convection of the surrounding fluid and is independent of the type of
long-acting gas. Early postoperative monitoring of intraocular pressure is,
therefore, equally important when using any long-acting gas.
