Mucous membrane graft versus Gunderson conjunctival flap for fitting a scleral shell over a sensitive cornea

• Published in: Ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 356 - 358
• Main Authors: Ma'luf, Riad N, Awwad, Shady T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-09-2005
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; Conjunctiva - surgery; Cornea - surgery; Eye, Artificial; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Mucosa - transplantation; Prosthesis Fitting; Sclera; Surgical Flaps
• ISSN: 0740-9303
• DOI: 10.1097/01.iop.0000175058.93880.91

To assess the efficacy of full-thickness mucous membrane grafts in forming a total and permanent corneal cover.
The records of all patients with a phthisical globe or microphthalmos who underwent a corneal covering procedure to allow comfortable wearing of a cosmetic scleral shell between March 1999 and July 2004 were reviewed.
Ten eyes underwent a Gunderson conjunctival flap (group A), and 9 eyes underwent a full-thickness mucous membrane graft (group B). In group A, 3 eyes had total flap retraction and one eye had partial flap retraction. In group B, only one eye had partial graft retraction. The flap retraction in group A occurred in those eyes with a corneal diameter of 9 mm or more.
The results from this small series of patients indicate that a full-thickness mucous membrane graft might be a better alternative for corneal coverage than a Gunderson conjunctival flap, especially in eyes with conjunctival scarring or relatively large corneal diameter.