Extraocular silicone oil migration to orbit and retrolaminar region: case report and systematic review

Silicone oil insertion is a common modality in vitreoretinal surgeries. The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic review to summarize the uncommon complication of extraocular silicone oil migration.

Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review of the literature was performed on January 11, 2020, using PubMed and EMBASE with the following terms: “silicone oil,” “eye,” and “migrat*.”

A total of 69 patients—68 patients from 59 articles and one case from our institution—were included in the final analysis. The median age was 54 years (range, 9–92) and 40 patients (57.9%) were men. Orbital migration was reported in 34 patients, and retrolaminar migration (including optic nerve, optic chiasm, suprasellar, subarachnoid space, intraventricular spaces) was reported in 35 patients. Orbital migration group had more aphakics (p = 0.007), implanted glaucoma drainage device (p = 0.005), scleral buckle (p = 0.000), history of trauma-related indications for pars plana vitrectomy (p = 0.000), shorter silicone oil endotamponade time (p = 0.008), more symptomatic (p = 0.000), and requiring surgical intervention (p = 0.000). Retrolaminar migration group had older patients (p = 0.016) and more diabetics (p = 0.041).

Systematic review sheds light on plausible risk factors on site of silicone oil migration. Majority of orbital cases are symptomatic and require intervention while retrolaminar cases are incidental and can be managed conservatively. Awareness of this complication can help guide clinicians predict which patients would likely need surgical intervention.