vitrectomy - silicone oil

[jingo]

Is the use of silicone oil for vitrectomy being done more now - August 2008?
The facedown position for traditional vitrectomy recovery is not possible for me.
Thank you.


This discussion is related to Expected discomfort after retinal detachment repair surgery.

[jamesanderson75]

I am having my second vitrectomy next month.  My first one, using gas, failed to close a hole in my retina.  My doctor wants to use silicon oil in the second surgery.  He stated there wasn't a positioning requirement, but reading sites states otherwise.  What are some other risks with the silicon?

[kathryn241]

How do you sleep with the silicone oil?  Side on a pillow?  Face down?  NOT ON YOUR BACK flat, but how about propped up with pillow?

anybody?

[AnnaE]

The first silicone oil that I had, I had to posture for 5-7 days. The second time, only one day.

[AnnaE]

The first silicone oil that I had, I had to posture for 5-7 days. The second time, only one day.

[ryann13]

Is it correct that silicone oil is an alternative that doesn't require positioning?

I'm new on the scene and am not an expert, but I had surgery for an RD 3 weeks ago with a buckle and silicone oil.  I had to be face-down for 7 days following surgery.  There was no gas involved.  So I'm thinking, regardless of whether or not you have gas or silicone oil, chances are you'll require some kind of positioning.  

[AnnaE]

Exactly as Berrywoo says. See ****.*** for equipment and info. Make sure you cannot do the positioning.

You cannot be too informed about the surgery.

[berrywoo]

The use of silicone oil or gas (C3F8 or SF6) needs to be decided on between you and your surgeon.
According to the Silicone Study done by the NEI the outcomes for both gas tamponade and silicone oil tamponade provide similar success rates.
Most surgeons that, I as a patient, have encountered use gas tamponading over silicone oil b/c it does not require additional surgery for removal. However, in some cases such as those patients with sleep apnea the use of a gas bubble would be contrindicated. Also, note that equipment can be rented to ease the burden of face down positioning.
In some cases even the use of a gas tamponding agent does not indicate the necessity for face down positioning, since positioning is determined by the location and extent of the tear/detachment. Overall, make sure you and your doctor discuss all the available options and that you understand the risks associated with each. Good luck.