Vitrectomy with sulfur hexafluoride versus air tamponade for idiopathic macular hole: a retrospective study

Abstract

Abstract Background To evaluate the effect of room air and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas in idiopathic macular hole(MH)surgery. Methods Retrospective, interventional, and comparative study. 238 eyes with the idiopathic macular hole that underwent pars plana vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling, fluid-air exchange, and 20% SF6 (SF6 group:125 eyes) or room air tamponade (air group: 113 eyes) were reviewed. The primary outcome measure was the closure rate of primary surgery. Results The baseline characteristics of the SF6 group and air group were comparable except for the hole size (479.90 ± 204.48 vs. 429.38 ± 174.63 μm, P = 0.043). The anatomical closure rate was 92.8% (116 / 125) with the SF6 group and 76.1% (86 / 113) with the air group (P 520 μm. Conclusion SF6 exhibited more effectiveness than air to achieve a good anatomical outcome for its longer tamponade when MH > 520 μm.

Keywords

• Tamponade
• Gas
• Retinal perforations
• Surgery