title: Vitrectomy without face-down posturing for idiopathic macular holes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the results of vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and C3F8 tamponade for macular hole without postoperative face-down posturing in 208 eyes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 208 eyes on an uncontrolled retrospective review, undergoing pars plana vitrectomy with trypan blue-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling and C3F8 tamponade, without subsequent face-down posturing. All patients were followed-up at 1 day, 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months postoperatively. Biomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography were used to assess macular hole closure at 1 day, 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months postoperatively. Pre- and postoperative visual acuity by Snellen chart was compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 208 eyes with idiopathic macular hole, preoperative mean visual acuity was 20/200 and final visual acuity was 20/40 (P = 0.00017). Anatomic macular hole closure rate was 81.3%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In agreement with published studies, combined phacovitrectomy without face-down posturing after macular hole surgery seems effective and safe, showing anatomical improvement and favorable best-corrected visual acuity. Isolating the macula from vitreous fluid with a large long-lasting gas-fill may render postoperative posturing unnecessary. Eliminating face-down posturing may increase patient acceptance and compliance.
authors.affiliation: Macula Unit, Barraquer Ophthalmology Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jeroni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nadal
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Delas
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piñero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004396:Coloring Agents; D058450:Endotamponade; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D033401:Microscopy, Acoustic; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D016684:Prone Position; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014343:Trypan Blue; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014821:Vitrectomy
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D005466:Fluorocarbons; C042852:perflutren; D014343:Trypan Blue