Evaluation of the efficacy of platelet-rich fibrin membrane tamponade combined with silicone oil filling in high myopia macular hole with retinal detachment

Objective

To investigate the role of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane tamponade combined with silicone oil filling in the treatment of high myopia macular hole (HMMH) with retinal detachment (RD).

Methods

A randomized controlled study was conducted.A total of 52 patients (52 eyes) with HMMH with RD were enrolled at the Eye Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from September 2021 to April 2023.The patients were randomly divided into three groups according to the random number table method.All patients in the three groups underwent standard three-channel 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy.In the internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling group including 18 cases (18 eyes), the ILM was peeled intraoperatively.In the ILM tamponade group including 16 cases (16 eyes), the ILM flap was inverted and filled into the macular hole (MH).In the PRF tamponade group including 18 cases (18 eyes), the MH was filled with PRF.Intraocular pressure measurement, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, and central macular thickness (CMT) measured by optical coherence tomography were performed preoperatively and 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively.Superficial retinal vessel density (SVD) and deep retinal vessel density (DVD) were determined by optical coherence tomography angiography before surgery and 6 months after surgery.The efficacy of the procedure was determined at six months postoperatively, and the rates of MH closure and retinal reattachment were compared among the three groups.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and the study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (No.2022-1-X-53).Written informed consent was obtained from each subject before any medical examination.

Results

At 6 months postoperatively, the MH closure rates in the ILM peeling, ILM tamponade, and PRF tamponade groups were 83.3%(15/18), 87.5%(14/16), and 94.4%(17/18), respectively, without significant differences among them (fit χ²=1.180, P>0.05).Furthermore, the retinas of all groups were reattached.The postoperative BCVA of ILM peeling, ILM tamponade, and PRF tamponade groups were elevated compared with before surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05).At 6 months after surgery, the CMT of the PRF tamponade group was significantly thicker than that of the ILM peeling and ILM tamponade groups (both at P<0.05).The CMT of the three groups at different time points after surgery was significantly decreased compared with before surgery, with statistically significant differences (all at P<0.05).SVD and DVD of the three groups at 6 months postoperatively were higher compared with before surgery, with statistically significant differences (all at P<0.05).No serious complications such as endophthalmitis and vitreous haemorrhage occured during treatment and follow-up.Müller cell gliosis was observed in 4 eyes in the ILM tamponade group, and no Müller cell gliosis eyes were seen in the remaining two groups.

Conclusions

PRF tamponade combined with silicone oil filling can promote MH healing and retinal reattachment, improve visual acuity and blood flow density in patients suffering from HMMH with RD, and is a safe and effective surgical procedure.

Macular hole; Retinal detachment; High myopia; Platelet-rich fibrin membrane; Internal limiting membrane; Müller cell