Contractility of temporal inverted internal limiting membrane flap after vitrectomy for macular hole

We investigated the postoperative visual outcomes and morphological changes of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap, in patients who underwent the temporal inverted ILM flap technique for macular hole (MH). Between August 2018 and February 2020, 22 eyes of 22 patients with idiopathic or myopic MH who underwent vitrectomy with ILM flap were included in this study and followed-up for more than 6 months. Postoperative MH status, comparison of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and 6 months after surgery, changes in the ILM flap area at 1 and 6 months postoperatively, and the factors related to changes in ILM flap size, were analyzed. MH closure was achieved in all of the patients. The BCVA at 6 months postoperatively (0.18 +/- 0.15) was significantly better than the preoperative BCVA of 0.63 +/- 0.37 (P < 0.001, paired t test). The area of the ILM flap decreased significantly from 3.25 +/- 1.27 mm(2) at 1 month to 3.13 +/- 1.23 mm(2) at 6 months (P = 0.024, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Two eyes showed an ILM flap contraction of more than 20%, and one eye required reoperation due to an increase in metamorphopsia and decreased visual acuity. Among age, sex, ILM flap area at 1 month, preoperative BCVA, and axial length, ILM flap contraction was correlated with patient age and ILM flap area. Although vitrectomy with the inverted ILM flap technique confers a good visual outcome, the ILM flap may contract in younger patients.

Automated summary

Patients who undergo temporal inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique for macular hole (MH) show good postoperative outcomes with improved visual acuity and closure of MH. The area of the ILM flap decreases significantly between 1 and 6 months postoperatively, with some patients experiencing flap contraction. Younger age and larger ILM flap area at 1 month postoperatively are correlated with ILM flap contraction.