BACKGROUND: To report on our clinical experience with autologous platelet concentrate and indocyanine green(ICG)-assisted internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in macular hole surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Standard 3-port vitrectomy was performed in 107 eyes of 101 patients (m: f = 27 : 74; mean age 60 +/- 9, range 30 - 80 years) with idiopathic macular hole stages II - IV. After fluid/air exchange, autologous platelet concentrate was applied (1.9 +/- 0,1 x 10(8) thrombocytes). ILM peeling, which was preceded by ICG staining in 19 eyes, was performed in 34 patients. RESULTS: After one procedure, anatomic success (hole closure) could be achieved in 85 % (n = 68), 75 % (n = 27) and 100 % (n = 3) of the eyes with stage II, III and IV holes, respectively. The mean visual acuity improved by 1 line. The overall initial closure rate of 82 % could be further enhanced to 96 % with a second procedure. In eyes pretreated with ICG, an initial rate of hole closure in 94 % and an improvement of visual acuity by 2 lines was observed. CONCLUSION: Autologous platelet concentrate appears to be a safe and reliable adjunct to improve the anatomical outcome of conventional macular hole surgery. Functional results can be further enhanced by ICG-assisted ILM peeling
BACKGROUND: To report on our clinical experience with autologous platelet concentrate and indocyanine green(ICG)-assisted internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in macular hole surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Standard 3-port vitrectomy was performed in 107 eyes of 101 patients (m: f = 27 : 74; mean age 60 +/- 9, range 30 - 80 years) with idiopathic macular hole stages II - IV. After fluid/air exchange, autologous platelet concentrate was applied (1.9 +/- 0,1 x 10(8) thrombocytes). ILM peeling, which was preceded by ICG staining in 19 eyes, was performed in 34 patients. RESULTS: After one procedure, anatomic success (hole closure) could be achieved in 85 % (n = 68), 75 % (n = 27) and 100 % (n = 3) of the eyes with stage II, III and IV holes, respectively. The mean visual acuity improved by 1 line. The overall initial closure rate of 82 % could be further enhanced to 96 % with a second procedure. In eyes pretreated with ICG, an initial rate of hole closure in 94 % and an improvement of visual acuity by 2 lines was observed. CONCLUSION: Autologous platelet concentrate appears to be a safe and reliable adjunct to improve the anatomical outcome of conventional macular hole surgery. Functional results can be further enhanced by ICG-assisted ILM peeling