The effect of simultaneous internal tamponade on fluid compartmentalization and its relationship to cell proliferation.

To determine whether the residual free spaces within the vitreous chamber that result after vitreoretinal surgery and internal tamponade may be avoided, and to verify whether such compartmentalization is of real importance in the recurrence of postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), the use of simultaneous double filling with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and fluorosilicone (FSiO) in the repair of complicated retinal detachment is evaluated in 12 selected cases. Initial retinal reattachment was achieved in all cases. PVR recurred in 10 patients (83%), 6 of whom showed partial retinal detachment. Inferior and superior postoperative residual free spaces were abolished by this procedure, but a new residual fluid space was created, lying horizontally between the bubbles and expanding in a triangular shape nasal to the optic disc and temporal to the macula. Overall, 9 of 10 eyes with PVR after surgery had proliferation involving these areas. These findings support the concept that compartmentalization is of major importance in determining postoperative cell proliferation.