Can macular translocation be a satisfactory management of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane?
OBJECTIVE
To report histopathological observations regarding one of our macular translocation cases.


METHODS
We have performed macular translocation with 360 degree retinotomy since 1997, and limited macular translocation with or without subretinal membrane removal since 2002. One of our patients died on the fifth postoperative day, so extensive histological examination of the removed neovascular membrane and entire globe was performed.


RESULTS
We found that pigment epithelium remained attached to the neurosensory retina during retinal separation, in which case the rotated fovea will be relocated in a partially devoided pigment epithelial zone. In addition, even after complete surgical removal of the membrane during macular translocation, large membrane remnants are still detectable by histological examination.


CONCLUSIONS
In our opinion, macular translocation is not a satisfactory management of subfoveal neovascular membranes, because of changes in the pigment epithelium during surgery, and large subretinal neovascular membrane remnants.
Bereczki
Arpád
A
"Petz Aladár" County Teaching Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, 9002. Gy r, Vasvári Pál u. 2, Hungary. bereczkia@petz.gyor.hu
Bíró
Zsolt
Z