Inverted Internal Limiting Membrane Flap Coverage With Autologous Blood Technique After Air-Fluid Exchange and Silicone Oil Tamponade for Extensive Macular Hole Retinal Detachment in Highly Myopic Eyes

Purpose: To report a technique consisting of inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap coverage with autologous blood after air-fluid exchange and silicone oil tamponade in treating extensive retinal detachment secondary to a myopic macular hole (MH). Methods: This was a retrospective case series. 18 eyes with MHRD extending beyond the equator were included in this study with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. The procedures for pars plan vitrectomy (PPV) included the following: 1) The ILM was peeled to the superior and inferior arcade margins and, except for the ILM in the temporal region, was hinged toward the edge of the MH. 2) Air-fluid exchange was then performed to drain the subretinal fluid through the MH with a flute needle, ensuring that a small amount of subretinal fluid remained to facilitate ILM flap inversion. 3) The ILM flap was used to cover the MH with the assistance of autologous blood. Results: Six months after surgery, the MH was successfully anatomically closed, and retinal reattachment was observed in all 18 eyes of 18 patients. The mean best-corrected visual acuity logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) improved from 2.03 +/- 0.61 (ranging from hand motion [2.6] to finger counting [2.3]) to 1.23 +/- 0.63 (ranging from hand motion [2.6] to 20/28 [0.15]) (P < 0.01) at 6 months. Conclusion: This surgical technique using an inverted ILM flap combined with autologous blood provides an option for the treatment of extensive MHRD.