The Rate of Sulfur Hexafluoride Escape From a Plas

Authors: Mark S Humayun Julia Haller Yeo Walter S Koski Ronald G Michels

Publish Date: 1989/06/01

Volume: 107, Issue: 6, Pages: 853-854

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Abstract

• Sulfur hexafluoride SF6 gas is widely used for internal tamponade during retinal reattachment surgery and is commonly injected into the eye from a 10mL plastic syringe The rate of diffusion of SF6 out of a plastic syringe has not been studied We measured the percentage of SF6 gas in a 10mL plastic syringe by gas chromatography confirmed by infrared spectrometry Measurements were obtained immediately after aspiration and at 30 s and 10 15 60 90 and 120 minutes and 18 hours A marked decrease in SF6 concentration from 97 at 30 s to 76 at 60 minutes and 2 at 18 hours was noted The results were highly reproducible Sulfur hexafluoride gas should be injected into the patients eye as soon as possible after aspiration from the tank to ensure accurate concentrations

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