Macular hole surgery with air tamponade. Does air suffice for short-term tamponade?
The 79% initial closure rate in the present study is about 10% lower than that reported in other studies employing long-acting gas tamponades. However, renewed surgery with air tamponade achieved a closure rate of 96%. Early partial closure is sufficient for subsequent complete closure, requires no further tamponade or prolonged prone positioning, and has no negative effect on the functional results. Short-term prone positioning is sufficient for most patients.
Over the years, our AUR rate has fallen significantly (from 17% to 6.3%). On multivariate analysis, highly significant factors include