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UnkindPotato t1_j9v6if7 wrote

Reply to comment by djublonskopf in After a surgery, what happens to the air that was inside the incision? by cimmic

So if you got surgery and then got on an airplane too soon would you explode or would you just fart out the stitched up hole

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metalmaxilla t1_j9vv59l wrote

In certain eye surgeries, gas is used to fill the eye and one can't fly for 6 weeks afterwards depending on the gas used. The gas can expand, causing increased intraocular pressure, which can be painful and result in blindness.

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djublonskopf t1_j9w2x9f wrote

This is true. In the 6-week case, the eye has probably been intentionally filled with octafluoropropane (C3F8) to keep the gas from being reabsorbed too quickly…this gives the retina more time to remain dry to allow more healing before the gas is absorbed and replaced by fluid.

If the eye is filled with normal air, the air should be reabsorbed in a much shorter time (2-10 days).

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metalmaxilla t1_ja3wu3h wrote

Thank you for the verification. However, this is not technically for the retina to remain 'dry'. This technique effectively 'holds pressure' to keep tissues in place against each other to facilitate them attaching and healing together. It can initially involve head positioning to strategically move the gas bubble against the desired tissue of interest. Gas bubbles can also be used in partial (descemet membrane) corneal transplants.

Mixtures of air +/- SF6 or C3F8 can be used. Air does reabsorb more quickly and is less expansile than the others. The emphasis of my comment was that one cannot fly while gas is in the eye. This is called "gas precautions", and patients may receive a medical alert bracelet during this period.

The eye can also be filled with liquid in lieu of gas, such as silicone oil, which is flying-friendly but requires another surgery to remove it if it's not left in place permanently.

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NobodysFavorite t1_j9ww85t wrote

What's more, unrelated to surgery... if you go scuba diving you can't safely expect to fly on the same day afterwards. You need to allow 24hrs for the dissolved gas levels in your body to get back to a "safe to fly" level.

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Uncynical_Diogenes t1_j9vmye2 wrote

The difference in air pressure between a pressurized cabin and sea level is not really enough to make that much of a difference.

Now, if you teleported right into outer space, you could expect that gas to find the path of least resistance out of you, probably the incision, but you’re not going to “blow up”.

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