FLUID-FLUID EXCHANGE AND EXTERNAL NEEDLE DRAINAGE WITH MINIMAL GAS VITRECTOMY ASSOCIATED WITH RETINAL DISPLACEMENT.

Purpose: To determine whether fluid-fluid exchange (endodrainage) or external needle drainage can result in retinal displacement following minimal gas vitrectomy (MGV) with no fluid-air exchange for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair. Methods: Two patients with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment underwent MGV with and without segmental buckle. First case had MGV with segmental buckle (MGVSB), along with endodrainage, whereas the second case had MGV only with external fluid drainage. At the completion of surgery, the patient was immediately log rolled to face down for 6 hours followed by positioning to the break. Results: Both patients achieved retinal reattachment, and postoperative widefield fundus autofluorescence imaging demonstrated a low-integrity retinal attachment with retinal displacement. Conclusion: Iatrogenic fluid drainage techniques, such as fluid-fluid exchange or external needle drainage during MGV (without fluid-air exchange), may result in retinal displacement. Allowing the retinal pigment epithelial pump to reabsorb the fluid naturally may reduce the risk of retinal displacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]