The balloon-gas-procedure. Another move towards minimum surgery.

The balloon-gas-procedure eliminates drainage and mechanical vitrectomy; it can be done in topical or subconjunctival anesthesia. Continuous oculocompression is created with a parabulbar balloon inserted prior to surgery. This results in 'internal drainage' of aqueous from the vitreous. In a kind of 'fluid-gas-exchange' the balloon's contents are withdrawn and their volume simultaneously replaced with an intraocular injection of perfluorocarbon gas. The gas's subsequent expansion further compresses the vitreous. In this way a large intraocular gas bubble tamponade can be obtained with a single injection. If additional tamponading is required later on, the balloon volume can be incrased on the ward by an injection of saline over the balloon adapter. There are no late complications since both types of tamponade are only temporary. The balloon-gas-procedure represent another tool in the armamentarium of minimum surgery. With it a problem detachment can be treated by dividing it into 'small surgical steps.'