Inverted Internal Limiting Membrane Flap vs Complete Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling for Large Macular Holes in Nonposturing Surgery.

Abstract

This study compared anatomical and functional outcomes of the inverted internal limiting membrane flap (ILMF) technique with complete ILM peeling (ILMP) in nonposturing surgery for large, full-thickness macular holes (MHs). This was a retrospective, comparative, single-surgeon study. Eyes with idiopathic large full-thickness MHs (minimum diameter > 400 μm) were included. A total of 46 patients including 22 ILMF cases and 24 ILMP cases were analyzed. No positioning instructions were advised postoperatively. Primary hole closure was achieved in all patients (100%) in both groups. Mean logMAR visual acuity (VA) improved significantly in both groups compared with the preoperative values (ILMF: 0.60 [SD, 0.26] postoperatively, vs 0.93 [SD, 0.3] preoperatively, P = .032; ILMP: 0.43 [SD, 0.22] postoperatively vs 0.83 [SD, 0.16] preoperatively, P < .01). However, ILMP showed a statistically significant improvement in VA compared with ILMF (P = .02). All MHs in both groups closed after surgery (100%). There was a statistically significant improvement of VA in the ILMP group compared with the ILMF group (P = .02). Not posturing after surgery did not compromise surgical success in both groups.