Temporal Inverted Internal Limiting Membrane Research Articles

Comparative study of conventional internal limiting membrane peeling versus temporal inverted internal limiting membrane flap for large macular hole treatment.

To compare the anatomical, morphological, and functional outcomes of the conventional internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling versus temporal inverted ILM flap technique for large full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs). Sixty eyes of 60 patients with a minimum base diameter >600 μm were included in this retrospective interventional study. Patients were divided into conventional ILM peeling (Group 1) and temporal inverted ILM flap (Group 2) groups. The hole closure rate, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ellipsoid zone (EZ), and external limiting membrane (ELM) defects were analyzed at baseline and 6 months after surgery. Hole closure was achieved in 24/32 (75.0%) cases of Group 1 and 27/28 (96.4%) cases of Group 2 (P = 0.029). The mean BCVA (logMAR) changed from 1.23 ± 0.47 to 0.70 ± 0.29 logMAR in Group 1 and from 1.03 ± 0.36 to 0.49 ± 0.24 logMAR in Group 2 at 6 months (P < 0.001 in both cases). U-shaped closure was observed in 5 (15.6%) eyes in Group 1 and 19 (67.9%) eyes in Group 2 (P < 0.001). The total restoration rates of ELM and EZ were significantly higher in the temporal inverted ILM flap group (P = 0.002, P = 0.001, respectively). The study results suggested that the FTMH closure rate, recovery of the outer retinal layers, and, consequently, the post-operative BCVA were better with the temporal inverted ILM flap technique than with the conventional ILM peeling for larger than 600 μm macular holes.

Foveal Displacement following Temporal Inverted Internal Limiting Membrane Technique for Full Thickness Macular Holes: 12 Months Results

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare conventional 360° internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and temporal inverted ILM flap technique with regard to postoperative foveal displacement. Methods: Patients who underwent 23 G vitrectomy with either 360° ILM peeling (Group 1) or temporal inverted ILM technique (Group 2) for idiopathic macular hole with a minimum follow up of 12 months were included. The metamorphopsia rates and distances between fovea and 3 retinal landmarks: the first retinal vascular bifurcation or crossover located superonasal and inferonasal to the fovea and ciliary vessel at the temporal margin of the disc, were compared on MultiColor SLO and near-infrared reflectance images. In addition, papillofoveal distance was measured on B-scan optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results: A total of 57 eyes were recruited (Group 1, n = 25; Group 2, n = 32). The visual acuity at month-1 was significantly higher in Group 2 than Group 1 (p = .007). A significant postoperative foveal displacement towards the disc was observed in Group 1 and Group 2 (p < .001 and p = .002 respectively). Shortening of the papillofoveal distance was greater in Group 1 than Group 2 at all postoperative visits (p < .05 for all). Furthermore, significant changes in papillofoveal distance continued until 6 months in Group 1 (p < .05 for all), whereas no significant changes occurred in Group 2 after month-1 (p > .05 for all). The complaints of metamorphopsia was significantly higher in Group 1 (n = 18/25) compared with Group 2 (n = 10/32) (p = .002). Conclusion: Temporal inverted ILM flap appear to be superior to 360° ILM peeling with regard to faster visual rehabilitation, lower rates of subjective metamorphopsia and less foveal displacement.

The Influence of Crescent-Shaped Selective Internal Limiting Membrane Staining on Vital Dye Toxicity in Temporal Inverted Flap Technique

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the macular function and morphology after temporal inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique with and without staining of the ILM flap in contact with the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 30 patients with idiopathic macular hole (MH), who underwent 27 G vitrectomy and temporal inverted ILM flap technique with brillant blue G (BBG) assisted ILM staining. In Group 1 (n = 16), a large bubble of perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) measuring approximately 6-disc diameters was used to cover the hole and central part of the ILM flap whereas in Group 2 (n = 14), only a small drop of PFCL to merely cover the MH was used. Complete ophthalmic examination including microperimetry (MP), optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed preoperatively, 6 months after surgery. Results: MH closure was achieved in all the eyes in both groups. The sizes of ellipsoid zone (EZ) and external limiting membrane (ELM) defect significantly decreased after surgery relative to the baseline width in both groups (p < .05 for all). The mean improvement in visual acuity (p = .896) and retinal sensitivity was similiar between groups (p = .409). Accordingly, the postoperative mean lengths of the EZ (p = .254) and ELM disruption (p = .406) on OCT scans were similiar between groups. However, 3 of the eyes in Group 2 developed cystoid macular edema between postoperative month-1 and month-6. Conclusion: The crescent-shaped selective staining of the ILM flap could prevent prolonged retinal toxicity of vital dyes in inverted ILM flap technique. Further studies involving larger number of patients with longer follow up are needed to determine the impact of this technique in the management of vital dye toxicity.

Nasal or Temporal Internal Limiting Membrane Flap Assisted by Sub-Perfluorocarbon Viscoelastic Injection for Macular Hole Repair

To compare the outcomes between using a nasal and a temporal inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap both assisted by a novel technique in repairing a full-thickness macular hole (FTMH). Retrospective interventional case series. Thirty-nine eyes from 39 patients with a FTMH <600μm were included from a single institution. All patients underwent vitrectomy using a semicircular single-layered ILM inverted flap assisted by a sub-perfluorocarbon liquid injection of ophthalmic viscoelastic device (OVD) technique. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography were used to compare outcomes between nasal (n = 19) and temporal (n = 20) groups. At 6months postoperatively, all FTMHs closed and BCVA were significantly improved. Overall, 36 eyes (92%) achieved U-shaped closure, and ellipsoid zone restoration was noted in 24 eyes (62%). An ILM flap was present in 29 eyes (74%) and 86% remained single-layered. There were significantly more deep inner retinal dimples in the temporal group (35%) compared with 5% in the nasal group (P= .04), but these were unrelated to BCVA. Significant retinal thinning in the temporal outer sub-field was noted in the temporal group and was negatively correlated with BCVA (rho [ρ]:- .53; P= .03). No significant postoperative retinal displacement was noted in either group. The technique of using sub-perfluorocarbon liquid injection of OVD secured single-layered flaps intraoperatively and postoperatively. Both the nasal and temporal inverted ILM flaps repaired FTMH and improved visual acuity. However, both temporal macular thinning and deep inner retinal dimples were significantly greater in the temporal group.

Vitrectomy with a modified temporal inverted limiting membrane flap to reconstruct the foveolar architecture for macular hole retinal detachment in highly myopic eyes.

We investigated the surgical results of macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) with a modified C-shaped temporal inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap to reconstruct the foveolar architecture in highly myopic eyes. Eighteen highly myopic eyes with MHRD in 17 patients who underwent a vitrectomy with a modified C-shaped temporal inverted ILM flap were followed for 12months. Anatomic outcomes were evaluated by fundus examinations and optical coherence tomography. The preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) were compared as functional outcomes. Women accounted for 88% of the MHRD patients. The mean age was 60.2±8.2years. The mean axial length was 29.25±2.10mm. Type 1 and type 2 MHRD was present in four eyes and 14 eyes, respectively. After a single surgery, the hole was closed in 18 eyes (100%). Retinal attachment was achieved in 95%. Persistent shallow subretinal fluid (SRF) was noted in one case, which was resolved at follow-up. The surgery significantly improved BCVAs (from 1.7±0.6 to 0.72±0.4 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units [p<0.001]) at the last visit. In total, 94.4% of the eyes had restored foveolar architecture. Ellipsoid zone recovery within the foveola was found in 77.8% of the eyes. A vitrectomy and modified C-shaped inverted temporal ILM flap is effective for closing MHs, reattaching the retina, restoring the foveolar architecture and significantly improving the postoperative BCVA in MHRD patients. This technique is feasible, and we propose 'presumed' Müller cell cone repair in MHRD surgery.

TEMPORAL INVERTED INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE FLAP TECHNIQUE FOR A MACULAR HOLE PATIENT UNABLE TO MAINTAIN POSTOPERATIVE PRONE POSITIONING

To report the surgical technique and efficacy of the temporal inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique for a patient with an idiopathic macular hole (MH) who is unable to maintain postoperative prone positioning. Case report. A 73-year-old man with a Stage III MH in his left eye was scheduled to undergo surgery. Owing to his inability to maintain postoperative prone positioning for continuous placement of a transdermal bladder catheter after radical cystoprostatectomy to treat urinary bladder cancer, he underwent pars plana vitrectomy combined with the temporal inverted ILM flap technique and intraocular sulfur hexafluoride gas tamponade. The technique included ILM peeling at a temporal area of the macula to create one 2-disk-diameter semicircular ILM flap and inversion of the ILM flap nasally to cover the MH. Optical coherence tomography showed that MH closure started from the top of the MH just beneath the covered ILM flap; the closure process gradually extended toward the bottom of the MH. The well-aligned fovea recovered in 5 weeks postoperatively. The visual acuity was 20/200 preoperatively and improved to 20/50 postoperatively. The temporal inverted ILM flap technique, a simple surgery to treat MHs, provides scaffolding for retinal gliosis and may facilitate bridge formation between the walls of the MH beneath the flap. The procedure may be a good option to achieve MH closure without postoperative prone positioning.