Anesthesiology
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The diffusion dynamics of intravitreal gas bubbles injected during retinal reattachment procedures were studied using a mathematical model. This model predicts the effect of 70 per cent nitrous oxide anesthesia on the volume of the intravitreal bubble. The calculations indicate that when 70 per cent nitrous oxide administration is continued following intravitreal gas injection, there is a rapid, almost threefold increase in the volume of the injected bubble. ⋯ The two major factors that influence intravitreal bubble volume are the mixture of air or SF6 injected and the pattern of nitrous oxide use during anesthesia. These factors can be controlled. The importance of bubble volume changes on intraocular pressure and retinal blood flow also depend on other factors such as scleral rigidity, blood pressure, the presence of glaucoma, and the size of the injected gas bubble relative to the total vitreal volume.