Interaction between Perfluorocarbon Liquid and Heavy Silicone Oil: Risk Factor for “Sticky Oil” Formation

Abstract: Interactions between perfluoro-n-octane (PFO) or perfluorodecalin (PFD) and heavy silicone oil (HSO, either alkane or ether) were studied in vitro by incubating fluids for 7 days at regulated temperatures.

The samples were divided into two groups: Group A, PFCL (PFO or PFD) + 5 ml of HSO (silicone oil + alkane or ether); Group B, HSO (silicone oil + alkane or ether) without perfluorocarbons (PFCLs).

Each sample was kept at 36°C for 7 days. HSOs were then removed with a 20 G, 7 mm-long cannula under 600 mm Hg of vacuum pressure at two different temperatures: 36 and 22°C. The time needed to remove the oils and the presence of opacity was recorded. Each experiment was performed in triplicate. In vitro, interactions between PFCLs and HSO oil led to the formation of hyper-viscous solutions with significant increase in aspiration time in Group A. (P = 0.006, Kruskal–Wallis test). Temperature was also found to affect HSOs’ saturation, as a decrease in temperature determined an increase in opacity and shear viscosity of the solution (P = 0.02, Kruskal–Wallis test).

No differences between alkane and ether (P = 0.74) and perfluoro-n-octane and perfluorodecalin (P=0.56) was found. In conclusion, interactions between PFCL–HSO and variation in temperature lead to the formation of hyper-viscous solutions that could be described as “sticky oil”.