A Comparison of Face-Down Positioning and Adjustable Positioning After Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Macular Hole Retinal Detachment in High Myopia.

PURPOSE: To compare the anatomical and functional outcomes of macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) in high myopia after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with face-down positioning and adjustable positioning. METHODS: Fifty-three eyes from 53 patients with MHRD were analyzed in this study. All patients received PPV with silicon oil for tamponade and then subdivided into 2 groups: 28 were included in a face-down positioning group and 25 were included in the adjustable positioning group. Patients were followed up for at least 6 months. The main outcome was the rate of anatomical macular hole (MH) closure and retinal reattachment. Secondary outcome measures were the best-corrected visual acuity and postoperative complications. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the rate of MH closure (53.6 vs. 72.0%, p = 0.167) and retinal reattachment (100 vs. 96%, p = 0.472) between the face-down group and adjustable group. Compared with the mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the mean postoperative BCVA at the 6-month follow-up improved significantly in both groups (p = 0, both). But there was no significant difference in the mean postoperative BCVA (p = 0.102) and mean BCVA improvement (p = 0.554) at 6 months after surgery between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the high intraocular pressure (IOP) after surgery between the two groups (53.6 vs. 44%, p = 0.487). There were no other complications that occurred during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Adjustable positioning after PPV with silicon oil tamponade for MHRD repair is effective and safe. Face-down positioning does not seem to be necessary for all patients with MHRD.

The effect of different body positions after pars plana vitrectomy and inert gas filling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To compare and observe the curative effect of different body positions after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with inert gas filling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).Methods:A retrospective clinical study. From October 2019 to September 2021, 192 eyes of 192 RRD patients who were diagnosed and received PPV combined with inert gas filling in Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University were included in the study. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, ultra-wide-angle fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, and B-mode ultrasonography were performed in all affected eyes. The BCVA examination was performed using a standard logarithmic visual acuity chart, which was converted into logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity during statistics. According to the post-operative position requirements, the affected eyes were divided into the face-down positioning group and the adjustable positioning group, with 97 eyes in 97 patients and 95 eyes in 95 patients, respectively. Age ( Z=0.804), course of disease ( Z=-0.490), eye type ( χ2=0.175), logMAR BCVA( Z=-0.895), intraocular pressure ( Z=0.178), lens status ( χ2=1.090), number of detached clocks ( Z=0.301) and macular involvement ( χ2=0.219), number of holes ( Z=-1.051) and number of lower holes ( χ2=0.619) were compared, there was no significant difference ( P>0.05). The gender composition ratio was compared, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=5.341, P<0.05). The follow-up time after surgery was more than 3 months. The retinal reattachment rate in one operation, the improvement of BCVA and the incidence of complications were observed. The independent sample Mann-Whitney test was used for the comparison of continuous variables between groups; the χ2 test was used for the comparison of categorical variables. Results:In the face-down positioning group and the adjustable positioning group, retinal reattachment in one operation was performed in 92 (94.8%, 92/97) and 89 (93.7%, 89/95) eyes, respectively; logMAR BCVA was 0.45±0.34, 0.41±0.21. There was no significant difference in the retinal reattachment rate in one operation ( χ2=0.120, P=0.729) and logMAR BCVA ( Z=-0.815, P=0.416) between the two groups. After surgery, the intraocular pressure increased in 11 (11.3%, 11/97) and 5 (5.3%, 5/95) eyes in the face-down positioning group and the adjustable positioning group, respectively; the secondary epimacular membrane was 2 (2.1%, 2/97), 3 (3.2%, 3/95) eyes. There was no significant difference in the incidence of elevated intraocular pressure and secondary epimacular membrane between the two groups after surgery ( χ2=2.320, 0.227; P=0.128, 0.634). Conclusion:It is safe and effective to adopt adjustable positioning after PPV combined with inert gas filling for RRD, which is equivalent to the effect of face-down positioning.

Macular Hole Surgery Using Gas Tamponade-An Outcome from the Oslo Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: The study aims to determine the anatomical success and functional outcome of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for macular holes (MH) performed at a single study center using a consistent procedure of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, SF6 tamponade and 3 days face-down positioning. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study involving eyes with MHs which underwent 23- or 25-gauge PPV with or without phacoemulsification and all undergoing a 20% SF6 gas tamponade, follow-up to 6 months postoperatively were included at the Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (12-month study period between 1 January and 31 December 2015) Pre- and post-operative Best-Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) assessment, comprehensive eye examination and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement. as well as Optical Coherence Tomography to determine the diameter of the MH and its closure were all carried out. Results: 198 consecutive eyes operated for MH (age: 69.4 ± 7.6 years; 1.6:1 female:male ratio) were included; 35.7%/48.6% had symptoms from 3-6/6-48 months; 5.1% had high-grade myopia, 21.5% focal VMT <1500 µm with or without epiretinal membrane (ERM), and 74.0%/26.0% had phakic/pseudophakic status. Primary closure of the MH occurred in 93.3% of the patients. Lens status and length of symptoms showed no significant correlation with closure of the MH. The pre-operative logMAR visual acuity: 0.8 ± 0.3 (median: 0.7; interquartile range (IQR): 0.5-0.8; range: 0.3-1.7), improved significantly post-operatively: 0.4 ± 0.3 (median: 0.3; interquartile range (IQR): 0.1-0.5; range: -0.02-1.2). BCVA improvement of <0.2, 0.2-0.4 and >0.4 was present in 28.3%, 27.3% and 44.4% of the treated patients. No significant median differences could be detected between the duration of the pre-operative symptoms and the pre-/post-operative visual acuity. Increased IOP was measured in 2.6% of the cases day after surgery. Conclusions: Our study found visual outcome not to be dependent upon the length of symptoms in MH patients treated by PPV all undergoing ILM peeling, SF6 tamponade and face-down positioning. The large diameter MH was not a limiting factor to achieve improved post-operative BCVA.

Adherence to face-down and non-supine positioning after macular hole surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate patient adherence to face-down positioning (FDP) and non-supine positioning (NSP) following vitrectomy with gas tamponade for treating macular holes (MHs). METHODS: Nursing records of 92 patients who underwent vitrectomy with gas tamponade for small-diameter (diameter < 400 µm) MHs during April 2016-June 2017 were examined. Forty-seven and 45 patients were instructed to maintain FDP and NSP (FDP and NSP groups), respectively. Patient adherence was evaluated seven times a day for 3 days, and the adherence rate was calculated. RESULTS: The mean adherence rate was significantly higher in the NSP group (99.3% ± 2.7%) than in the FDP group (93.7% ± 13.3%; P < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). Forty-one patients (91.1%) in the NSP group had an adherence rate of 100%, which was significantly higher than that in the 24 patients in the FDP group (51.1%; P < 0.001, chi-squared test). No statistically significant difference was observed between the patients in the two groups regarding sex, age, MH diameter, and pre- and postoperative visual acuities. MH closure was achieved in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the patients in the FDP group did not obtain 100% adherence rate, suggesting that patient adherence was largely compromised. Patient adherence was better in the NSP group as patient compliance to NSP was better, however, 8.9% of patients were found in face-up positioning at least once. Incompleteness of patient adherence was common, although to differing degrees.

Adherence to the face-down positioning after vitrectomy and gas tamponade: a time series analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the adherence to the face-down positioning (FDP) in 296 patients who had undergone vitrectomy and gas tamponade. RESULTS: We studied 119 female and 177 male patients who had undergone primary vitrectomy and gas tamponade for a macular hole (MH) or for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs). Adherence was assessed and recorded four times per day for 3 days postsurgery. The mean ± standard deviation adherence rate was 88.3 ± 11.7 (range 50.0-100.0). Female patients (90.8 ± 10.0) had significantly better adherence than male patients (86.7 ± 13.3; P < 0.02, U test). The adherence was significantly better after MH surgery (90.8 ± 11.7) than after RRD surgery (87.5 ± 12.5; P < 0.02). There were diurnal variations in adherence, being highest in the evening and significantly lower at midnight, and we evidenced a decline in adherence over time, with it being significantly low on the last follow-up day. Adherence to the FDP varied considerably among patients. Adherence was higher in female than in male patients, and higher in patients with MH than in those with RRD. We found patients age had no effect on adherence. Adherence also varied with time, being worst at midnight and declining over time.

Patient adherence to the face-down positioning after macular hole surgery.

PURPOSE: To determine adherence to face-down positioning (FDP) among patients who underwent vitrectomy and gas tamponade for macular hole (MH) repair. METHOD: A total of 69 patients (37 females and 32 males) who underwent primary vitrectomy for MH repair were studied. Nurses recorded whether the patient complied with FDP each time they examined the patient. FDP score was obtained from the nursing records; patients were given a score of 1 if they complied with the FDP and 0 if they did not. The score was recorded four times per day for the first 3 postoperative days. A perfect FDP score was 12. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation of the FDP scores was 10.6±1.8 (range: 4-12). Overall, 32 (46.4%) patients scored a perfect 12, and 7 (10.1%) patients scored <8. Failure of the MH closure was observed in only one patient (1.4%), who showed the poorest adherence to FDP (score =4). Consequently, the closure rate in patients with FDP score <7 (2/3, 66.7%) was significantly lower than in patients with an FDP score ≥7 (66/66, 100%) (P<0.05, Fisher's exact probability test). CONCLUSION: While adherence to FDP after MH surgery was better than that observed after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments in our previous study, the percentage of patients with FDP scores <8 did not differ. Statistically, the poor adherence to FDP can negatively impact the effectiveness of the surgery for MH repair.

Short-term postoperative non-supine positioning versus strict face-down positioning in macular hole surgery.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of short-term non-supine positioning (NSP) and strict face-down positioning (FDP) in the repair of macular hole (MH). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all MH repairs over a 27-month period (2008-2010). Inclusion criteria were idiopathic full thickness stage 2-4 MH treated by a single surgeon with 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade, followed by postoperative short-term NSP (for 5 days) or strict FDP (for 3-4 days). NSP was achieved by fastening a tennis ball to the back of the nightshirt. Outcome measures were anatomical MH closure verified by optical coherence tomography and postoperative visual acuity. RESULTS: A total of 67 eyes (64 patients) met the inclusion criteria. The median follow-up period was 6.6 months (range, 4.7-19.8 months). The closure rates following a single operation were 30/33 (90.9%) in the FDP group, and 31/34 (91.2%) in the NSP group, respectively (p = 0.97). The FDP group improved 2.9 ETDRS lines, and 23 eyes (69.7%) gained two or more ETDRS lines. The NSP group improved 2.7 ETDRS lines (p = 1.00), and 25 eyes (73.5%) gained two or more ETDRS lines. The closure rates in the MH subgroup with diameters larger than 400 µm were 20/23 (87.0%) and 15/17 (88.2%) in the FDP group and the NSP group, respectively (p = 0.96). CONCLUSION: The study indicates that short-term NSP is equally effective as strict FDP in the repair of MH. Contrary to previous reports, even large MH did not seem to benefit from FDP.

Ulnar neuropathy as a complication of retinal detachment surgery and face-down positioning.

PURPOSE: To report a case of bilateral ulnar neuropathy as an extraocular complication following retinal detachment surgery and face-down positioning. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: Bilateral hypoesthesia and numbness of the 4th and 5th finger started 2 weeks after vitrectomy for retinal detachment and face-down positioning. Due to progressive symptoms 6 months later, unilateral ulnar nerve decompression at the elbow was performed. CONCLUSIONS: This case report demonstrates that strict face-down positioning bears the risk of ulnar neuropathy.

Ulnar Neuropathy as a Complication of Retinal Detachment Surgery

PURPOSE: To report a case of ulnar neuropathy as an extraocular complication following retinal detachment surgery and face-down positioning. CASE SUMMARY: A 65-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with decreased visual acuity in the left eye. Fundus examination revealed a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment not involving the macula in the left eye. A vitrectomy with scleral encircling and 18% SF6 gas tamponade was performed. The patient was instructed to assume a face-down position. After 5 days, the patient reported having paresthesia and numbness of the left 4th and 5th fingers. Neurologic exams were performed and the results indicated ulnar neuropathy. There was no improvement in the neurologic symptoms during the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons performing retinal surgery should caution their patients of ulnar neuropathy when face-down positioning is required. The patients should be instructed to minimize the time spent with their elbows flexed in a stationary position. Additionally, the pressure loaded on the bent elbow should be minimized.