Inverted Internal Limiting Membrane Flap Coverage with Autologous Blood Technique after Air-fluid Exchange and Silicone Oil Tamponade for Extensive Macular Hole Retinal Detachment in Highly Myopic Eyes.

Abstract

To report a technique consisting of inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap coverage with autologous blood after air-fluid exchange and silicone oil tamponade in treating extensive retinal detachment (RD) secondary to a myopic macular hole (MH). Retrospective case series. The technique was applied in 18 eyes with MH-RD extending beyond the equator with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. The procedures for pars plan vitrectomy (PPV) included the following:1) the ILM was peeled to the superior and inferior arcade margins, and except for the ILM in the temporal region, was hinged toward the edge of the MH. 2) Air-fluid exchange was then performed to drain the subretinal fluid (SRF) through the MH with a flute needle, ensuring that a small amount of SRF remained to facilitate ILM flap inversion. 3) The ILM flap was used to cover the MH with the assistance of autologous blood. Six months after surgery, the MH was successfully anatomically closed, and retinal reattachment was observed in all 18 eyes of 18 patients. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR) improved from 2.03 ± 0.61 (ranging from hand motion [HM] [2.6] to finger counting [FC] [2.3]) to 1.23 ± 0.63 (ranging from HM [2.6] to 20/28 [0.15]) (P < 0.01) at 6 months. This surgical technique using an inverted ILM flap combined with autologous blood provides an option for the treatment of extensive MHRD.