SURGICAL APPROACH FOR SUBFOVEAL DENSIRON 68 BUBBLE REMOVAL IN A CASE OF RECURRENT INFERIOR RETINAL DETACHMENT.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To describe a surgical approach to remove a retained subfoveal Densiron 68 bubble in a case of recurrent inferior retinal detachment. METHODS: A 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy was performed to remove the subfoveal silicone oil bubble and to treat the retinal detachment. Through a midperipheral retinal tear, we reached the subfoveal space by extending the retinal detachment up to the macular region. We inserted in the subretinal space a Charles cannula protected with a silicone tip to catch and aspirate the bubble. Intraoperative optical coherence tomography successfully guided the surgical maneuvers. RESULTS: We achieved the complete removal of the bubble from the subretinal space, and this led to the restoration of the retinal morphology with functional improvement, although the fovea developed atrophy. CONCLUSION: We reported a surgical approach for the removal of a retained subfoveal Densiron 68 bubble that combines a macular detachment together with the aspiration of the bubble using a protected Charles cannula. This technique may provide an alternative approach in the management of this challenging complication.