Ultrastructural changes of the internal limiting membrane removed during indocyanine green assisted peeling versus conventional surgery for idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the histologic features of cellular retinal fragments on the internal limiting membrane (ILM) removed during idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane (MEM) peeling surgery with and without the aid of indocyanine green (ICG) diluted in 5% glucose.


METHODS
ILM specimens removed from 88 eyes during idiopathic MEM surgery between 1995 and 2003 were reviewed retrospectively. Histologic analysis focused on the presence and characteristics of retinal fragments on the retinal surface of the ILM. Statistical analysis compared the results between group I (conventional surgery) and group II (ICG-assisted peeling).


RESULTS
Seventy-one eyes underwent MEM surgery without the aid of ICG (group I) and seventeen underwent MEM ICG-assisted surgery (group II). The amount of Müller cell debris on the retinal surface of the ILM was more significant in the group I than in the group II (40.8 vs. 11.8; P = 0.024). Large fragments of Müller cells were more frequently observed in the group I (no ICG) than in the group II (ICG) (63.4 vs. 23.5%; P = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of ICG diluted with 5% glucose in ILM removal during MEM surgery was associated with less retinal debris attached to the retinal face of the ILM compared with surgery in which ICG was not used.
Konstantinidis
Lazaros
L
Vitreoretinal Unit, Jules Gonin University Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Uffer
Sylvie
S
Bovey
Etienne H
EH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods*
D004396:Coloring Agents; D007208:Indocyanine Green