Gas Entrapment in the Canal of Petit During Pneumatic Retinopexy: Sequential Imaging and Conservative Management

Purpose: To report a rare complication of pneumatic retinopexy involving intraocular gas entrapment in the canal of Petit and its successful noninvasive management. Methods: A single case was reviewed. Results: A 49-year-old woman underwent pneumatic retinopexy for a macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and subsequently developed a distinctive incomplete “donut-shaped” peripheral gas collection consistent with entrapment in the canal of Petit. With strict prone face-down positioning, the gas migrated posteriorly into the vitreous cavity within 50 min, as documented on sequential ultra-widefield imaging. The retina remained reattached without the need for any surgical intervention. Conclusions: This case highlights that gas entrapment in the canal of Petit after pneumatic retinopexy may resolve with positioning alone and underscores the utility of serial ultra-widefield imaging for diagnosis and monitoring, potentially preventing unnecessary surgical intervention.