Amniotic membrane transplantation for corneal perforation associated with ulceration

Objective To investigate the efficacy,safety and localization of multilayer amniotic membrane transplantation(AMT) for corneal perforation associated with ulceration.Design A retrospective clinical case series.Participants Nine patients(9 eyes)with corneal perforation secondary to ulceration were enrolled into this study.These were little response to medicine,including bacterial keratitis(4 eyes ),fungal keratitis(2 eyes),fungal and bacterial mixed keratitis( 1 eye),virus keratitis( 1 eye),and Mooren's ulcer ( 1 eye).Size of perforation was 0.5～3.0 mm in diameter.Methods The AMT was applied to tamp the perforation,fill the ulcer and cover the surface of ulcer.After surgery,the medicine was continued to be used to treat the original corneal ulcer.The follow-up ranged from 6～20 months.In the suffering eyes,reformation of anterior chamber,healing of ulcer,complications and recurrence of ulceration were observed.Main Outcome Measures Of the postoperative eyes,reformation of anterior chamber,healing of ulcer,complications and recurrence of ulceration.Results The anterior chamber reformed at the first postoperative day in 9 eyes,and kept in normal depth in the follow-up time.At postoperative 2 months,the ulcer healed with sear and a smooth surface.Corneal thickness of the ulcer area recovered almost to normal.During follow up,no recurrence of ulceration or severe complications was noted.Conclusions Multilayer AMT is a safe and effective method for the management of small corneal perforation associated with ulceration,but the ulcer healed with scar.(Ophthalmol CHN,2008,17:101-103)