Surgical treatment of retinal detachment with inferior break using combined gas-air tamponade with viscoelastic

Surgical treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with an inferior break remains a challenge for ophthalmic surgeons. When using silicone tamponade, complications can develop, such as increased intraocular pressure and emulsification of silicone. In recent years, tamponade of the vitreous cavity with a gas-air mixture has been actively used, however, not all patients can observe the forced position face down, and the tamponade itself is not long-term. Purpose. The authors proposed a method for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with an inferior break using a combined tamponade with a gas-air mixture and viscoelastic based on sodium hyaluronate. Material and methods. A clinical observation of a patient successfully operated on with the use of the specified combined tamponade is presented. A detailed description of a new surgical technique is presented, which allows achieving a higher anatomical and functional results. Conclusion. To confirm the effectiveness and safety of the proposed method, further studies on a group of patients are needed. Key words: rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, inferior break, gas-air tamponade, tamponade with viscoelastic, sodium hyalur onate

Effect of Air Tamponade among Patients with Epiretinal Membranes and Intraretinal Cystoid Changes Undergoing Vitrectomy with Membrane Peeling – A Prospective Randomized Trial

Background The effect of air tamponade among patients undergoing vitrectomy with membrane peeling for removal of epiretinal membranes (ERM) is controversially discussed. The aim of the present study was to analyze differences in outcomes between air tamponade and balanced salt solution (BSS) in a study population with preoperative intraretinal cystoid changes. Patients and Methods This randomized study included patients scheduled for pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling owing to ERM and intraretinal cystoid changes. Air tamponade or BSS at the end of surgery was applied according to preoperative randomization. Optical coherence tomography and best-corrected distance visual acuity (DCVA) measurements were performed before surgery, 5 days after surgery, and 3 months after surgery. Results From 96 patients included, 85 eyes had full follow-up and could be included for analysis. Median improvement of DCVA was + 16 EDTRS letters (IQR: 8 to 22) among patients with BSS, while it was + 13 EDTRS letters (IQR: 8 to 17) among patients with air tamponade. There was a trend for better improvement of DCVA when BSS was left at the end of surgery, compared to air tamponade, but not reaching statistical significance. Conclusions There were no statistically significant differences concerning resorption of preoperative intraretinal cystoid changes, improvement of visual acuity, and final DVCA between air tamponade and BSS.

Regional and sex differences in retinal detachment surgery: Japan-retinal detachment registry report

It is known that social factors affect the choice of treatments, and special attention has been paid to sex differences. The purpose of this study was to determine whether regional and sex differences exist in the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD). We used Japan-RD Registry database of 2523 patients aged ≥ 40 years between February 2016 and March 2017 in 5 Japanese regions. Regional differences of patients’ perioperative factors were analyzed. The factors affecting the proportion of patients who underwent surgery within one week of the onset, defined as early-surgery, were examined by logistic regression. We observed regional differences in perioperative factors, especially in the use of phacovitrectomy, general anesthesia, and air-tamponade, which was higher in certain regions. (Fisher’s exact test, all P = 0.012) The proportion of early-surgery was significantly higher among men in Kyushu region (Odds ratio (OR) 1.83; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–3.12; P = 0.02), and it was also significantly higher after adjusting for covariates (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.06–3.42; P = 0.02). Regional and sex differences exist in the treatment of RD in Japan. Although there was no significant differences in the anatomical outcomes, women in certain regions of Japan are less likely to receive early surgical intervention for RD.

Subretinal injection of prourokinase in the treatment of large subretinal hemorrhages

8 patients were treated in the Regional State ophthalmologic clinical hospital of Public Health Ministry of Udmurt Republic with subretinal hemorrhage. All performed 25-gage vitrectomy with removal of the posterior hyaloid membrane, subretinal injection of 500 ME prourokinase and air tamponade of the vitreous cavity. In the postoperative period, patients occupied a forced position of the body face up for 2 hours, then were transferred to an upright position for 1 day face down. All patients had resorption of subretinal hemorrhage, visual acuity from 0,009±0,005 improved to 0,15±0,05 (p<0.05; U-criterion). The technique proved to be a highly effective method of rehabilitation of patients with extensive subretinal hemorrhage. Key words: subretinal hemorrhage, prourokinase, vitrectomy.

Efficacy of PPV Combined with Air Tamponade for Treatment of Inferior Retinal Breaks

Purpose. To observe the efficacy and safety of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with filtered air tamponade in the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with inferior retinal breaks. Methods. This retrospective study included 20 patients (20 eyes) with inferior retinal breaks in RRD; all underwent PPV combined with filtered air tamponade. Preoperative examinations included BCVA, IOP, anterior segment, fundus and locations, numbers, and sizes of retinal breaks and ocular B-mode ultrasonography. Postoperative examinations included BCVA, IOP, residual gas volume, retinal reattachment, and complications. Results. After follow-up for 1 year, the primary retinal reattachment rate was 95% and the final reattachment rate was 100%. Pre- and postoperative BCVA averaged 1.51 ± 0.63 and 0.97 ± 0.58 logMAR, respectively; the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.001 ). Average pre- and postoperative IOP were not statistically different. The average volume of residual gas on the first day after the surgery was 77.5%; the gas was absorbed in all patients within 2 weeks; no significant postoperative complications were observed. Conclusion. PPV combined with filtered air tamponade is a safe and effective treatment for RRD with inferior retinal breaks. Notably, the retinal reattachment rate is high, gas absorption is rapid, and incidence of complications is low.

Method of surgical treatment of small and medium diameter macular holes with the foveal-sparing internal limiting membrane peeling

Introduction and purpose. Idiopathic macular hole (IMH) is an urgent medical and social problem of the population of developed countries. It is known that microinvasive 3-port vitrectomy with gas-air tamponade is a generally accepted method of surgical treatment of IMH. There is still no clear understanding of the reasons for incomplete functional success in this category of patients, despite the anatomical success.Thus, there is a need to develop and implement in clinical practice a modification of the ILM peeling technique for the treatment of small and medium-diameter of IMH, which would not be inferior in anatomical effectiveness to existing methods and would be accompanied by a less damaging effect on the structures of the retina. Material and methods. The study included 10 patients with a diagnosis of IMH, who underwent a 3-port microinvasive 25G vitrectomy with the preservation of foveal ILM. Results. The analysis of the clinical and functional results of surgical treatment of IMH with the foveal fragment left revealed the complete closure of the macular tear, the absence of gross defects of the ellipsoid zone, an increase in the values of the average visual acuity and microperimetry from the 1st month of dynamic observation. Conclusion. The proposed low-traumatic method of fovea - sparing ILM peeling provides stable anatomical and functional result, the restoration of both morphological and functional parameters, and minimizes the mechanical impact on the retina in the fovea. Key words: macular rupture, internal limiting membrane, fovea-sparing ILM peeling.

The experience of using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in surgery of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Purpose. To evaluate the effectiveness of using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a blocking of retinal rupture without the use of silicone and gas tamponade (SF6, C2F6, C3F8). Material and methods. In the period from September 2020 to February 2021, in the conditions of the BUZ UR "Republican Ophthalmological Clinical Hospital" of the Ministry of Health of the Udmurt Republic, 12 patients aged 48 to 70 years were treated with a diagnosis of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with the presence of peripheral tears. In 12 patients, breaks of different localization were revealed - in eight, in the upper half, in four in the lower half of the retina. Myopia was identified as a risk factor in 6 patients. Visual acuity before surgery ranged from 0.001 to 0.3. The operations were performed under retrobulbar anesthesia. In all cases, a subtotal 25Ga vitrectomy was performed with the removal of the posterior hyaloid membrane (PCM) to the extreme periphery and careful excision of the vitreous body in the area of retinal ruptures. The next stage is the introduction of PFOS to the level of the retinal defect, replacing it with air and draining the SRF, minimal endolaser coagulation of the retina around the retinal ruptures. At the final stage of the operation, platelet-enriched plasma was sequentially multi-layered on the rupture area until the rupture was blocked with a PRP layer. In all patients, the operation was completed with air endotamponade. Results. On the first day, visualization of the fundus was reduced in all patients due to air tamponade. By the 4th day, plasma enriched with platelets in the form of a gray film was determined on the surface of the retina in the zone of rupture, the resorption of which occurred within 2 weeks. The duration of the air tamponade averaged 7-10 days. Retinal adhesion in the early postoperative period was achieved in all patients. In 6 patients with the introduction of PRP, a picture of mild uveitis was observed, which was stopped within 1-3 days against the background of anti-inflammatory treatment. No other complications were observed. In the late postoperative period (after 2 weeks), complete retinal adhesion was maintained in 12 patients, visual acuity was 0.05-0.2. According to the data of the performed echography, phosphene and the study of the visual fields, no pathological changes were revealed. In the long-term postoperative period, complete retinal adhesion was noted in 10 patients, visual acuity with correction ranged from 0.3 to 0.5. At different times after the operation, a relapse of retinal detachment occurred in two patients. In one patient with multiple degenerative changes in the periphery of the retina, a relapse of detachment was revealed 2 months after surgery. In all likelihood, the relapse was associated with the emergence of new ruptures in the dystrophy zone and the presence of a proliferative process. In another patient, a relapse of retinal detachment was also observed 4 months after surgery due to the progression of PVR (post-traumatic retinal detachment). All patients with a relapse of retinal detachment within 1–2 days after the detection of a relapse underwent a second operation with revision of the vitreous cavity and subsequent silicone tamponade, which led to complete adhesion of the retina. Conclusion. ROS surgery by subtotal vitrectomy with blocking of retinal tears with platelet-rich plasma and air tamponade is an effective one-stage technique that minimizes the traumatic effect of the operation, reduces postoperative inflammatory complications, and also reduces economic losses. Key words: rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, platelet-rich plasma. Key words: rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, platelet-rich plasma

Management of refractory macular hole: a case report

Purpose. Evaluation of the results of the use of Autologous Conditioned Plasma in Management refractory macular hole. Materials and methods. We examined рatient B., 56 years old, with a refractory macular hole (MH), which did not close after two operations. Earlier, the patient underwent cataract phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. Along with traditional methods of examination, optical coherence tomography was performed. Before the operation, Autologous Conditioned Рlasma (ACP) was prepared by centrifuging the patient's blood. After removing the silicone oil, the AСР was injected of the MH zone. The operation was completed with a gas-air tamponade. After the operation, recommended position was "face down" for a day. Results. In the early postoperative period, during biomicroscopy, MH was closure. 2 weeks after surgery, on optical coherence tomography (OCT) there MH was closure. Her best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) the maximum corrected was 0.01 to 0.15. Patient said about the improvement in the quality of vision and a decrease in metamorphopsies. Conclusion. The use of AСР in the Management of refractory MH is an effective method with good anatomical and functional results. Keywords: refractory macular hole, Autologous Conditioned Plasma, optical coherence tomography, anatomical result.

Postoperative features of the macular zone structure after surgical treatment of large full-thickness macular hole using various surgical techniques

Purpose. Comparative assessment of the retinal macular zone structure after surgical treatment of full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) by various methods. Material and methods. Patients with Gass stage III-IV FTMH were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 patients (20 eyes) underwent a standard operation (subtotal vitrectomy (sVE), aspiration convergence of the FTMH edges, gas-air tamponade of the vitreous cavity). Patients in group 2 (20 eyes), after sVE and ILM peeling, autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) were applied to FTMH area followed by air tamponade. Patients of group 3 (20 eyes) after sVE underwent FTMH closure using an inverted ILM flap with the rupture edges approached, followed by air tamponade. Results. The increase in BCVA after 1 month averaged from 0.23±0.1 to 0.41±0.13, (p<0.05) in patients in group 1, in group 2 from 0.15±0, 07 to 0.75±0.09, (p<0.05), in patients in group 3 from 0.14±0.05 to 0.78±0.08, (p<0.05). Anatomical results: in group 1, 17 patients who received standard surgical treatment, a month after surgery, had a satisfactory anatomical result (complete closure of the FTMH with restoration of the correct retinal architectonics in the foveal zone). In 3 patients, additional endovitreal intervention was required with successful FTMH closure. In all patients in group 2, according to OCT data, 5 days after the operation, hyperreflective tissue was detected in the FTMH area ("platelet plug"). When OCT was performed 1 month later, in all cases, the platelet plug resolved, and in all cases, restoration of the foveal profile architectonics was observed. In group 3, the closure of the FTMH on the 5th day of observation was recorded in all patients. When performing OCT after 1 month, complete closure of the neuroepithelium layer was recorded in all cases: in 13 patients - U-shaped closure and in 7 cases – V-shaped. The functional results in both groups were comparable; there was no statistical difference between them. Conclusion: The data obtained demonstrate the morphological features of the retinal foveolar zone postoperative restoration. There was no significant difference in functional results between study groups. Key words: full-thickness macular hole, vitreoretinal surgery, internal limiting membrane, inverted ILM flap, autologous conditioned plasma, optical coherence tomography.