Conventional internal limiting membrane peeling versus temporal inverted internal limiting membrane flap for large macular holes

Purpose: To compare the functional, anatomical, and morphological results of conventional internal limiting membrane peeling versus temporal inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique for the treatment of macular holes larger than 400 mu m. Design: Retrospective, comparative case series. Methods: A total of 33 patients were included, of whom 18 were treated with internal limiting membrane peeling (Group 1) and 15 were treated with temporal inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique (Group 2). Complete ophthalmic examination, such as microperimetry and optical coherence tomography, was performed preoperatively and at 12 months after surgery. Results: The closure rates accomplished in Groups 1 and 2 were 72.2% and 100%, respectively (p = 0.036). The mean improvement in best-corrected visual acuity was logMAR 0.49 +/- 0.17 in Group 1 and logMAR 0.91 +/- 0.15 in Group 2 (p = 0.037). U-shaped closure was achieved in one eye in Group 1 and 12 eyes in Group 2 (p < 0.001). Complete restoration of external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone rates were significantly higher in Group 2 (p = 0.027 and p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The single-layered temporal inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique improves not only anatomical and morphological but also functional outcomes of surgery for large macular holes. Furthermore, this technique seems to minimize the risk of iatrogenic trauma to the nasal part of the fovea and the corresponding papillomacular bundle fibers.

Automated summary

This study compared the outcomes of conventional internal limiting membrane peeling with temporal inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique for large macular holes. The results showed that the flap technique had higher closure rates, better visual acuity improvement, and significantly higher rates of complete restoration of external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone compared to the peeling technique.