Retinal displacement following direct versus indirect fluid exchange in pars Plana vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

PURPOSE To compare the occurrence and characteristics of retinal displacement following direct perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL)-silicone oil (SO) exchange versus indirect PFCL for air and air for SO exchange methods during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS A comparative case series study was conducted on 58 eyes with recent RRD, undergoing standard three-port PPV with SO tamponade. Fluid exchange was performed using either direct or indirect methods. Postoperatively, a comprehensive ophthalmic examination and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging were conducted at one month. The presence, amount, and direction of retinal displacement were assessed based on FAF imaging and compared between the direct and indirect fluid exchange groups. RESULTS FAF imaging at one month revealed retinal displacement in 41.4% of eyes in the direct group and 62.1% in the indirect group, with no statistical difference between them (P = 0.537). However, the mean displacement was significantly higher in the indirect group (282.61 ± 110.83 µm) compared to the direct group (220.33 ± 39.67 µm, P = 0.04). The direction of displacement (downward or upward) did not differ significantly between the groups (P = 0.093). CONCLUSIONS While the occurrence and location of postoperative retinal displacement did not significantly differ between direct and indirect fluid exchange methods during PPV for RRD, eyes treated with the direct method exhibited lower mean displacement compared to the indirect method. These findings suggest potential benefits of the direct exchange approach in minimizing retinal displacement following surgery.