The clinical efficacy of lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation flap insertion and autologous blood for degenerative type lamellar macular hole

Abstract

Objective To observe the efficacy of lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation(LHEP) flap insertion and autologous blood for degenerative type lamellar macular hole (LMH). Methods Retrospective case review. Twenty-eight eyes of 28 patients with LMH were enrolled in this study. There were 2 males (2 eyes) and 26 females (26 eyes). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), medical optometry, slit-lamp biomicroscop, indirect ophthalmoscope, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, b-scan ultrasonography and axial length detection were performed on all patients. Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution(logMAR) was used to calculate visual acuity. There were 10 eyes (35.7%) with degenerative type LMH (flap insertion group) and LHEP. There were 18 eyes (64.3%) with tractional type LMH (general group). The differences of BCVA, AL, horizontal hole diameter from retina and lens state between two groups were not significant (P>0.05). The differences of horizontal hole diameter of internal limiting membrane (ILM), central foveal thickness (CFT) and integrity of ellipsoidal zone between two groups were significant (P<0.05). LHEP flap insertion and autologous blood without ILM peeling were used in eyes of flap insertion group. Vitrectomy combined ILM peeling were used in eyes of general group. The follow-up was ranged from 3 to 14 months. The changes of CFT, central foveal form and logMAR BCVA were observed. Results At latest follow-up, the BCVA of flap insertion group and general group were 0.34±0.27, 0.31±0.29; which significantly better than the preoperative BCVA (Z=−3.519, −4.945; P<0.001). The CFT of flap insertion group and general group were(200.10±58.78), (226.61±70.49) μm. There was no difference between pre- and post-operative CFT in eyes of general group (Z=−1.455, P=0.146). There was significant difference between pre- and post-operative CFT in eyes of flap insertion group (Z=−2.798, P=0.005). In flap insertion group, regular recovery of the foveal contour occurred in 9 eyes (90.0%), improvement in 1 eyes (10.0%). In general group, regular recovery of the foveal contour occurred in 10 eyes (55.6%), improvement in 8 eyes (44.4%). The closure rate of LMH were 100% both in two groups. Conclusion LHEP flap insertion and autologous blood is an effective treatment of degenerative type LMH. Key words: Retinal Perforations/surgery; Vitrectomy