Passive removal of silicone oil with a 25-gauge sutureless system.

PURPOSE: To report the outcome of a new sutureless technique for passive removal of silicone oil with a 25-gauge system.

METHODS

Between January 2005 and February 2006, 32 patients (32 eyes) underwent passive silicone oil removal with a 25-gauge system in a prospective, interventional case series in our hospital. Main data recorded were visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), silicone oil removal time, complications, and number of sutured sites.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 11.46 +/- 3.98 months. Mean silicone oil removal time was 8.93 +/- 0.85 (range, 7.0-11.5) min. A suture was placed in only one eye because of leakage. Visual acuity improved in 27 eyes (86.4%), and stabilized in five eyes (15.6%). IOP decreased significantly at all visits during follow-up. On day one, four eyes (12.5%) were hypotonous. Choroidal folds were observed in two eyes (6.25%). No other complications were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Passive removal of silicone oil with a 25-gauge sutureless technique was effective for 1000 centistokes of oil. Transient hypotony in the early postoperative period did not adversely affect the visual outcomes.