Pseudophakic macular edema in nondiabetic and diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy treated with intravitreal dexamethasone implant.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implant during a 12-month period in nondiabetic and diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR) as a treatment for refractory pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) following prior treatment with topical nepafenac 0.1% and prednisolone 1%. METHODS: Forty-two consecutive medical records of patients diagnosed with PCME after uneventful cataract surgery were included. The outcomes measured included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT). Linear regression analysis was statistically applied. RESULTS: Following topical treatment, nondiabetic and diabetic subjects presented a mean ± SD gain of - 0.11 ± 0.11 and - 0.18 ± 0.11 BCVA logMAR and a CFT reduction of - 43.42 ± 53.66 µm and - 58.76 ± 36.28 µm, respectively. The mean BCVA gain at month 12 subsequent to DEX implantation was - 0.35 ± 0.17 in nondiabetic (p < 0.001) and - 0.55 ± 0.26 in diabetic patients (p < 0.001), with CFT reductions of - 195.71 ± 93.23 µm (p < 0.001) and - 260.81 ± 198.69 µm (p < 0.001), respectively. Patients who responded with better VA after topical treatment presented better visual outcomes at month 12 following DEX implantation (r2 = 0.46; rho = - 0.71, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Nondiabetic and diabetic patients without DR demonstrated similar results after DEX implant after combined topical therapy, suggesting that selected diabetic patients may have a response comparable to that of nondiabetic patients with PCME.

Impact of different environmental pollution processes on bacterial key-indicators in tropical rivers: scoping review.

Freshwater ecosystems are an essential resource for human use and natural populations, but they are exposed to different sources of man-made pollution. This study analyses how different environmental pollution processes influence the structure of bacterial communities in tropical rivers. A scoping review was performed to characterize the bacterial communities in freshwater ecosystems in tropical regions that have been reported to be associated with pollution of different kinds. The statistical analyses allowed us to categorize the genera found into three large groups (pollution generalists, middle types, and pollution specialists) according to the types of pollutants with which they were associated. The results show that Escherichia has a greater association with fecal contamination, while Enterococcus is more associated with domestic wastewater and organic and synthetic chemicals. The present study proposes Streptomyces as a potential indicator of waters with microbial contamination, as well as some other genera as possible indicators of waters with heavy metal contamination.

A bullous variant of central serous chorioretinopathy treated with oral spironolactone / Uma variante bolhosa da coriorretinopatia serosa central tratada com espironolactona oral

ABSTRACT We report the case of a 39-year-old male patient who presented with visual loss in the right eye for 6 weeks. The best-corrected visual acuity was counting fingers in the right eye and 20/30 in the left eye. The fundus examination demonstrated a right retinal detachment inferiorly extending to the fovea and a left macular serous detachment. After multimodal imaging study, the patient was diagnosed as having a bullous variant of central serous chorioretinopathy and treated with oral spironolactone associated with adjuvant laser photocoagulation. The retinal changes resolved after 6 months. The final visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes.

RESUMO Relatamos o caso de um homem de 39 anos apresentando perda visual no olho direito há seis semanas. A melhor acuidade visual corrigida foi conta-dedos no olho direito e 20/30 no esquerdo. A fundoscopia demonstrou descolamento de retina direito inferiormente com extensão à fóvea e descolamento macular seroso à esquerda. Após estudos de imagem multimodal, o paciente foi diagnosticado com uma variante bolhosa de coriorretinopatia serosa central e tratado com espironolactona oral associada à fotocoagulação a laser adjuvante. As alterações retinianas resolveram após seis meses. A acuidade visual final foi 20/20 em ambos os olhos.

Clinical-epidemiological profile of the canine population in a shelter, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2019-2020.

The aim of this study was to analyze the demographic, clinical, and hematological aspects of the population in a dog shelter located in the municipality of Lavras, Brazil. All animals were microchipped and evaluated by veterinarians. Whole blood samples were obtained from 329 dogs in the months of July-August 2019 and from 310 dogs in the months of January-February 2020. Most of the dogs were of mixed breed, received anti-rabies and polyvalent vaccines (100%), were dewormed (100%), and were spayed/neutered (98.59%), with a predominance of adult (86.51%), short-hair (67.51%), normal body condition (65.57%), medium-size (62.57%), and female (62.36%). The main clinical alterations detected were enlarged lymph nodes (38.69%), skin lesions (31.50%), overweight (23.32%), obesity (6.07%), elevated temperature (17.05%), and ear secretion (15.72%). Regarding hematological alterations, thrombocytopenia (36.31%), leukopenia (15.92%), anemia with decreased hemoglobin values (10.60%), hematocrit (9.70%), and red blood cells (5.14%) were observed. Most of the shelter dogs were apparently healthy, but specific measures for nutritional, dermatological, otological and disease management should be implemented once the health changes are verified, as they impact the general state of the population and adoptions.

A bullous variant of central serous chorioretinopathy treated with oral spironolactone.

We report the case of a 39-year-old male patient who presented with visual loss in the right eye for 6 weeks. The best-corrected visual acuity was counting fingers in the right eye and 20/30 in the left eye. The fundus examination demonstrated a right retinal detachment inferiorly extending to the fovea and a left macular serous detachment. After multimodal imaging study, the patient was diagnosed as having a bullous variant of central serous chorioretinopathy and treated with oral spironolactone associated with adjuvant laser photocoagulation. The retinal changes resolved after 6 months. The final visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes.

Multimodal imaging in a patient with combined hamartoma of the retina and retina pigment epithelium / Imagem multimodal em paciente com hamartoma combinado da retina e epitélio pigmentar da retina

ABSTRACT Combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium is a rare, benign intraocular tumor. Hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium has been described in the literature as a condition presenting with variable retinal damage, ranging from partial epiretinal involvement to complete distortion of the retinal layers and retinal pigment epithelium. We report the case of an 8-year-old girl presenting with longstanding strabismus who was diagnosed with Hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium based on multimodal imaging assessment. We explored the particular imaging findings from studies using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography angiography, and fluorescein angiography.

RESUMO O hamartoma combinado de retina e epitélio pigmentar da retina consiste em um tumor intraocular raro com comportamento benigno. O hamartoma combinado de retina e epitélio pigmentar da retina foi descrito na literatura apresentando dano retiniano variável, desde o envolvimento epirretiniano parcial até distorção completa das camadas retinianas e do epitélio pigmentar da retina. Relatamos o caso de uma menina de 8 anos com estrabismo de longa data que foi diagnosticada com hamartoma combinado de retina e epitélio pigmentar da retina, com base na avaliação de imagem multimodal. Exploramos os achados de imagem específicos de estudos usando tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral, autofluorescência, angiografia por tomografia de coerência óptica e angiografia fluorescente.

In vivo study to assess dosage of allogeneic pig retinal progenitor cells: Long-term survival, engraftment, differentiation and safety.

Despite notable efforts and significant therapeutical advances, age-related macular degeneration remains the single most common reason for vision loss. Retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) are considered promising candidates for cellular treatments that repair and restore vision. In this allogenic study, the phenotypic profile of pig and human RPCs derived using similar manufacturing processes is compared. The long-term (12-week) survival of green fluorescent protein-pig retinal progenitor cells GFP-pRPC after subretinal transplantation into normal miniature pig (mini-pig) retina is investigated. Human eyes are both anatomically and physiologically mimicked by pig eyes, so the pig is an ideal model to show an equivalent way of delivering cells, immunological response and dosage. The phenotypic equivalency of porcine and clinically intended human RPCs was established. Thirty-nine mini-pigs are used in this study, and vehicle-injected eyes and non-injected eyes serve as controls. Six groups are given different dosages of pRPCs, and the cells are found to survive well in all groups. At 12 weeks, strong evidence of integration is indicated by the location of the grafted cells within the neuro-retina, extension of processes to the plexiform layers and expression of key retinal markers such as recoverin, rhodopsin and synaptophysin. No immunosuppression is used, and no immune response is found in any of the groups. No pRPC-related histopathology findings are reported in the major organs investigated. An initial dose of 250 k cells in 100 µl of buffer is established as an appropriate initial dose for future human clinical trials.

PARACENTRAL ACUTE MIDDLE MACULOPATHY AFTER AORTIC ANEURYSM REPAIR.

PURPOSE: We report a case of paracentral acute middle maculopathy secondary to cholesterol embolization syndrome after an endovascular aortic aneurism repair (EVAR). METHODS: Functional and anatomical damage was assessed by Snellen visual acuity, fundoscopy, and optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: A 67-year-old man presented with sudden vision loss in the right eye for one day with concomitant livedo reticularis in both feet. His medical history included an abdominal EVAR repair three days before the symptoms. The best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. Fundoscopy showed intraarteriolar cholesterol plaques (Hollenhorst) bilaterally, and a localized retinal whitening in the right eye. Optical coherence tomography at the lesion site revealed a hyperreflective band on the level of inner nuclear layer. The patient was referred for imaging and complete systemic evaluation. He was then closely followed up by a vascular team, without additional intervention. Retinal stigma partially regressed at six months with visual improvement. CONCLUSION: This case describes paracentral acute middle maculopathy as a rare ocular sign of cholesterol embolization in postoperative intraaortic operations. The diagnosis of this complication led to prompt clinical care with a multidisciplinary approach.

Multimodal imaging in a patient with combined hamartoma of the retina and retina pigment epithelium.

Combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium is a rare, benign intraocular tumor. Hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium has been described in the literature as a condition presenting with variable retinal damage, ranging from partial epiretinal involvement to complete distortion of the retinal layers and retinal pigment epithelium. We report the case of an 8-year-old girl presenting with longstanding strabismus who was diagnosed with Hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium based on multimodal imaging assessment. We explored the particular imaging findings from studies using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography angiography, and fluorescein angiography.

Pars plana vitrectomy and visual stimulation for treatment of vitreomacular traction secondary to toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis in a 5-year-old child / Vitrectomia via pars plana e estimulação visual para tratamento da tração vitreomacular secundária à retinocoroidite por toxoplasmose em criança de 5 anos

ABSTRACT Objective: A unusual case of ocular toxoplasmosis with significant vitreomacular traction is reported. The patient improved significantly following pars plana vitrectomy combined with visual stimulation and occlusion therapy. Methods: The case of a 5-year-old girl with significant unilateral vision loss associated with vitreous condensation and macular traction is described. Results: Pars plana vitrectomy was carried out for vitreomacular traction release. This was followed by visual stimulation and occlusion therapy. Significant improvement was observed. Conclusion: Despite structural damage, the combination of properly indicated surgery and amblyopia management strategies allowed the achievement of maximum vision goals in this case, suggesting structural damage may be associated with functional amblyopia.

RESUMO Objetivo: Relata-se um caso de apresentação atípica de toxoplasmose ocular, com importante tração vitreomacular. A paciente apresentou melhora significativa após vitrectomia via pars plana, com estimulação visual e oclusão. Métodos: Descreve-se o caso de uma menina de 5 anos, com importante perda de visão unilateral associada à condensação vítrea e à tração macular. Resultados: Foi realizada vitrectomia via pars plana para alívio da tração vitreomacular, seguida de estimulação visual e oclusão. Foi observada melhora significativa. Conclusão: Apesar dos danos estruturais, a combinação de cirurgia bem indicada com estratégias de tratamento da ambliopia permitiu alcançar o máximo do potencial visual nesta paciente, sugerindo que os danos estruturais podem estar associados à ambliopia funcional.

Analysis of cytokines in the aqueous humor during intravitreal Ranibizumab treatment of diabetic macular edema.

This study aimed to analyze the concentrations of VEGF, b-FGF, TNF, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12 in the aqueous humor of patients with diabetic macular edema with and without peripheral retinal ischemia and to ascertain the changes in the levels of these molecules during treatment with ranibizumab. A therapeutic, prospective, randomized interventional study was carried out. Twenty-four eyes from 24 patients were studied and divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (9 eyes) included patients with diabetic macular edema without peripheral ischemia. Group 2 (10 eyes) included patients with diabetic macular edema with peripheral ischemia. Group 3 (5 eyes), the control group, included patients without systemic and/or eye diseases. Patients in Groups 1 and 2 received 3 intravitreal injections of 2 mg/0.05 ml ranibizumab at an interval of approximately 30 days. Before administering the injections, the aqueous humor was collected. In the control group, aqueous humor was collected before facetectomy. During treatment, the median IL-6 concentration significantly increased in Group 1 but showed a slight but not significant decrease in Group 2. Interleukin 8 levels were significantly different at the end of treatment compared to the beginning in Groups 1 and 2. TNF, IL-1, IL-10, and IL-12 levels were practically unchanged in both groups. VEGF was significantly reduced at the end of the study in Groups 1 and 2. B-FGF was not detected in most of the studied patients, and in those with detectable levels, there was no significant variation. There was a significant increase in the median level of interleukin 6 in the group without ischemia and a significant decrease in VEGF in both groups. The cytokines TNF, IL-1, IL-10, and IL-12 did not show significant variation.

Long-term manifestations and modifiers of prevalence estimates of the post-COVID-19 syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundPost-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) is a multi-system disease comprising persistent symptomatology after the acute phase of infection. Long-term PACS effects significantly impact patient outcomes, but their incidence remains uncharacterized due to high heterogeneity between studies. Therefore, we aimed to summarize published data on PACS, characterizing the clinical presentation, prevalence, and modifiers of prevalence estimates. MethodIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, we research MEDLINE for original studies published from January 1st, 2020, to January 31st, 2021, that reported proportions of PACS manifestations. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they included patients aged [≥]18 years with confirmed COVID-19 by RT-PCR or antigen testing and a minimum follow-up of 21 days. The prevalence of individual manifestations across studies was pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. For evaluating determinants of heterogeneity, meta-regression analysis was performed. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42019125025). ResultsAfter screening 1,235 studies, we included 29 reports for analysis. Twenty-seven meta-analyses were performed, and 61 long-term manifestations were described. The pooled prevalence of PACS was 56% (95%CI 45-66%), with the most common manifestations being diminished health status, fatigue, asthenia, dyspnea, myalgias, hyposmia and dysgeusia. Most of the included studies presented high heterogeneity. After conducting the meta-regression analysis, we identified that age, gender, number of comorbidities, and reported symptoms significantly modify the prevalence estimation of PACS long-term manifestations. ConclusionPACS is inconsistently reported between studies, and population characteristics influence the prevalence estimates due to high heterogeneity. A systematized approach for the study of PACS is needed to characterize its impact adequately. Fundingnone

Day case unicompartmental knee replacement: An update of the Torbay experience.

BACKGROUND: Hospitals throughout the United Kingdom face significant challenges in regards to inpatient bed capacity, leading to growing interest in day case arthroplasty. Day case Unicompartmental Knee Replacement (UKR) has been offered within our unit since 2010, with successive evaluations of pathway outcomes performed in 2011 and 2015. Since then, our day case UKR pathway has expanded. This study aims to evaluate the safety, efficiency and patient satisfaction with this expanded pathway. METHODS: Data was prospectively collected for all patients undergoing a UKR between January 2017 and August 2019. Data collected included the pathway planned, date of admission, date of discharge and re-admissions to hospital within 30 days of surgery. Patient satisfaction was evaluated via a follow-up questionnaire. RESULTS: 109 patients underwent a UKR between January 2017 and August 2019. 83 patients (76%) were planned through the day case pathway. 63 patients were successfully discharged on the day of surgery. One day case pathway and two inpatient pathway patients were re-admitted within 30 days of surgery with medical conditions. A high level of patient satisfaction with our day case pathway was identified. CONCLUSION: UKR with planned discharge on the day of surgery is possible for a large proportion of patients provided that robust pathway and protocol design is undertaken. Following 10 years' experience, our day case UKR pathway has increasingly become the default for the majority of our patients. We report high patient satisfaction and low 30-day re-admission rates. However, 100% success rate for day of surgery discharge remains challenging.

Retinal ischemia following mandible tumor treatment with steroid injection / Isquemia de retina após tratamento de tumor de mandíbula com injeção de esteroide

ABSTRACT Central giant cell granuloma is a rare osseous tumor affecting young patients with anatomical and functional compromise of the maxilla and mandible. Steroid injection therapy constitutes a less invasive treatment modality for disease control in selected cases. Retinal ischemia is a reported complication of multiple medical procedures, including dental interventions, and may lead to loss of vision with poor prognosis. We report a case of retinal arteriolar ischemic disease following central giant cell granuloma management with local injected corticosteroids.

RESUMO O granuloma central de células gigantes é um tumor ósseo raro que afeta pacientes jovens com comprometimento anatômico e funcional da maxila e mandíbula. A terapia com injeção de esteroides constitui uma modalidade de tratamento menos invasiva para o controle da doença em casos selecionados. A isquemia retiniana é uma complicação relatada em vários procedimentos médicos, incluindo intervenções odontológicas, e pode levar à perda da visão com mau prognóstico. Relatamos um caso de doença isquêmica arteriolar da retina após o tratamento com granuloma central de células gigantes com corticosteroides injetados locais.

Surgical results regarding the correction of macular hole with and without face-down posturing using 25% SF6 gas: a retrospective case series.

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare the anatomical success rates of vitrectomy and SF6 gas tamponade for macular hole surgery with and without postoperative face-down posturing. METHODS: This was an observational, longitudinal, and retrospective case series analysis. The study included 52 eyes from 52 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with trypan blue-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling and 25% SF6 tamponade for stages 2, 3, and 4 macular holes. After surgery, all patients were provided with a postoperative postural regimen: 31 patients were instructed not to maintain face-down posturing, whereas 21 were instructed to maintain face-down posturing for 7 days. The primary outcome measure was the macular hole closure rate. Statistical analysis was performed using Epi Info 7.1. RESULTS: A total of 47 (90.3%) patients achieved hole closure. The nonface-down posturing group and face-down posturing group obtained closure rates of 90.3% and 90.4%, respectively; these rates were not significantly different. Statistical analysis revealed that no significant differences existed in sex, age, hole duration, hole stage, preoperative visual acuity, or postoperative visual acuity between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that macular hole surgery with the use of short duration gas (SF6) is safe and effective and that maintaining a postural orientation of nonface-down posturing is also safe. However, these recommendations should be assessed further in a prospective and randomized study to comprehensively delineate the associated benefits and risks.

Strabismic amblyopia: compliance with occlusion treatment in a tertiary hospital in Midwestern Brazil / Ambliopia estrabísmica: adesão ao tratamento oclusivo em hospital terciário no Centro-Oeste Brasileiro

Abstract Purpose: Study aimed to determine compliance of patients with strabismic amblyopia undergoing occlusion treatment, followed from January 1 st, 2011 to January 1 st, 2017 at an Ophthalmology Reference Center, and identify risk factors for poor compliance. Methods: Retrospective, consecutive cohort study. Compliance reported at each visit was related to visual acuity, family history, changes in occlusion schedules and in patients' care team during treatment. The patients were divided into two groups according to the compliance: poor compliance group and compliance group (subdivided in full compliance subgroup and partial compliance subgroup). Results: Age at treatment beginning vary from 3.7 to 13.7 years, esotropia was the most frequent deviation and the occlusion was realized from 5 to 7 hours a day. Of 220 patients, compliance was achieved by 193 (87.7%), 114 (51.8%) in full compliance subgroup and 79 (35.9%) in partial compliance subgroup, and 27 do not achieved compliance (12.3%). Poor compliance was significantly related to a history of epilepsy, higher rate of suspension of treatment due to inefficacy, higher evasion rate, lower recurrence, and lower rate of maintenance of prophylactic occlusion after treatment. Good compliance was related to family history of strabismus, higher recurrence rate, and higher maintenance of prophylactic occlusion after treatment. No relations were found between poor compliance and changes in occlusion schedules or in patients' care team during treatment. Conclusion: Compliance with occlusion treatment of strabismic ambliopia was similar to other studies that included refractive and strabismic amblyopia and not related to changes in occlusion schedules or in patients' care team during treatment. Family history of strabismus was a protective factor.

Resumo Objetivo: Determinar a adesão de pacientes com ambliopia estrabísmica submetidos a tratamento oclusivo, acompanhados em Centro de Referência em Oftalmologia do Centro-Oeste do Brasil, e identificar fatores de risco para baixa adesão. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo e consecutivo. A adesão relatada em cada visita foi relacionada à acuidade visual, história familiar, mudanças no tempo de oclusão e na equipe de atendimento ao paciente durante o tratamento. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com a adesão: grupo de não-adesão e grupo adesão (subdividido em subgrupo adesão total e subgrupo adesão parcial). Resultados: A idade ao início do tratamento variou de 3,7 a 13,7 anos, o desvio mais frequente foi a esotropia, o tempo médio de oclusão foi de 5 a 7 horas por dia. Dos 220 pacientes, 193 (87,7%) obtiveram adesão, 114 (51,8%) no subgrupo de adesão total e 79 (35,9%) no subgrupo de adesão parcial, e 27 não aderiram (12,3%). A não-adesão foi relacionada à história de epilepsia, maior taxa de suspensão do tratamento devido à ineficácia, maior taxa de evasão, menor recorrência e menor taxa de manutenção da oclusão profilática pós tratamento. A boa adesão foi relacionada à história familiar de estrabismo, maior taxa de recorrência e maior manutenção da oclusão profilática pós tratamento. Não houve relação entre não-adesão e mudanças nos horários de oclusão ou na equipe de atendimento durante o tratamento. Conclusão: A adesão ao tratamento oclusivo da ambliopia estrabísmica foi semelhante aos estudos que incluíram ambliopia refracional e estrabísmica e não se correlacionou a mudanças no tempo de oclusão ou na equipe de atendimento. A história familiar de estrabismo foi um fator de proteção.

Pedicle internal limiting membrane flap technique for very large macular holes: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Conventional vitrectomy technique for macular hole surgery has a good outcome in small and medium macular holes, but for very large macular holes (minimum linear diameter higher than 700 µm) other techniques were developed aiming to achieve greater rates of closure and visual acuity gain. The purpose of this article is to report the anatomical and functional outcomes of four very large macular hole (MH) cases which have undergone vitrectomy with the pedicle internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique. METHODS: This is a retrospective series of four patients with large MH who were treated with vitrectomy and the pedicle ILM flap technique. Comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation was performed before surgery and included ETDRS best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) for MH measures: height, minimum linear diameter (MLD) and external base diameter. The particular detail of this technique is related to ILM flap creation. During the peeling, the ILM was not removed completely from the retina but was left attached to the edges of the macular hole and subsequently trimmed with the vitrectomy probe using the scissors mode. RESULTS: Four patients with very large MH underwent PPV and the pedicle ILM flap technique was used to pursue macular closure. Median preoperative BCVA was 20/400 (range: 20/320 to 20/400) and median postoperative BCVA was 20/200 (range: 20/320 to 20/200). Of the 4 cases reported, 3 obtained anatomical closure (75%), and also presented BCVA improvement after surgery, considering the last follow-up visit of each case. No additional procedures were performed in either case. One patient demonstrated no anatomic and functional improvement. CONCLUSION: The present study describes the first Brazilian case series of very large MH treated by the inverted pedicle ILM flap technique. This technique was associated with anatomic and visual improvement in most cases, and represents an alternative therapeutic approach for large macular holes.Trial Registration Project registered in Plataforma Brasil with CAAE number 30163520.0.0000.5440 and approved in ethics committee   from  Ribeirão Preto Medical School Clinics Hospital, University of São Paulo-Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil (appreciation number 3.948.426 gave the approval).

Surgical results regarding the correction of macular hole with and without face-down posturing using 25% SF6 gas: a retrospective case series / Resultados cirúrgicos para correção de buraco macular com gás SF6 a 25% com e sem orientação postural: Série retrospectiva de casos

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aims to compare the anatomical success rates of vitrectomy and SF6 gas tamponade for macular hole surgery with and without postoperative face-down posturing. Methods: This was an observational, longitudinal, and retrospective case series analysis. The study included 52 eyes from 52 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with trypan blue-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling and 25% SF6 tamponade for stages 2, 3, and 4 macular holes. After surgery, all patients were provided with a postoperative postural regimen: 31 patients were instructed not to maintain face-down posturing, whereas 21 were instructed to maintain face-down posturing for 7 days. The primary outcome measure was the macular hole closure rate. Statistical analysis was performed using Epi Info 7.1. Results: A total of 47 (90.3%) patients achieved hole closure. The nonface-down posturing group and face-down posturing group obtained closure rates of 90.3% and 90.4%, respectively; these rates were not significantly different. Statistical analysis revealed that no significant differences existed in sex, age, hole duration, hole stage, preoperative visual acuity, or postoperative visual acuity between the two groups. Conclusion: Our results suggest that macular hole surgery with the use of short duration gas (SF6) is safe and effective and that maintaining a postural orientation of nonface-down posturing is also safe. However, these recommendations should be assessed further in a prospective and randomized study to comprehensively delineate the associated benefits and risks.

RESUMO Objetivos: Comparar as taxas de sucesso anatômico da vitrectomia e tamponamento de gás SF6 na cirurgia de buraco macular com e sem a postura pronada pós-operatória. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo observacional, longitudinal e retrospectivo de séries de casos. O estudo incluiu 52 olhos de 52 pacientes submetidos à vitrectomia posterior via pars-plana com peeling de membrana limitante interna auxiliada por azul trypan e tamponamento com gás SF6 a 25% para os estágios 2, 3 e 4 dos buracos maculares. Após a cirurgia, todos os pacientes foram orientados a manter um regime postural pós-operatório: 31 pacientes foram orientados a não realizar posição pronada de cabeça, enquanto 21 foram orientados a manter uma pronada pós-operatória por 7 dias. O objetivo principal foi a análise da taxa de fechamento do buraco macular. A análise estatística foi realizada usando Epi-Info 7.1. Resultados: Um total de 47 (90,3%) pacientes obtiveram fechamento do buraco macular. O grupo de postura não pronada e o grupo de postura pronada obtiveram taxas de fechamento de 90,3%, e 90,4%, respectivamente; essas taxas não foram significativamente diferentes. A análise estatística revelou que não houve diferenças significativas relacionadas ao gênero, idade, duração do buraco macular, estágio do buraco macular, acuidade visual corrigida pré e pós-operatória entre os dois grupos. Conclusão: Nossos resultados sugerem que a cirurgia para buraco macular com o uso de gás de curta duração (SF6) é segura e eficaz e que a manutenção de uma orientação pós-operatória de não-pronada também é segura. No entanto, essas recomendações devem ser avaliadas em um estudo prospectivo e randomizado para delinear de forma abrangente os riscos e benefícios associados.