A machine-independent method to have active removal of 5,000 centistokes silicone oil using plastic infusion tube and 23-gauge microcannulas

BACKGROUND: To describe one modified method of having machine-independent removal of 5,000 centistokes silicone oil through 23-gauge trocar-cannulas. METHODS: Consecutive patients with silicone oil tamponade for more than four months and with complete retinal reattachment were included. Two 23-gauge trocars were used to make sclerotomies while the microcannulas remained in situ for intravitreous infusion and silicone oil drainage. A short section of infusion tube was connected with a 10 ml syringe’s needle adapter. The other side was attached to the conjunctiva surface and covered the cannula’s cap inside to form a closed space for silicone oil drainage. The main outcomes were duration for complete removal of silicone oil and intra- and postoperative complications. RESULT: There were totally twenty cases (20 eyes) included. The mean time for draining out the silicone oil was 4.54 ± 0.78 minutes. Intraoperatively, flute needle was introduced additionally in seven cases to achieve complete removal. No cases experienced postoperative visual acuity deterioration or refractory hypotony. No significant residual oil bubbles were observed. No retinal redetachment occurred throughout the follow-ups. CONCLUSION: The modified method of using an infusion tube and 23-gauge trocar-cannulas can achieve quick and complete removal of high viscosity silicone oil. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12886-015-0103-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.