Abstract
Purpose::
To assess the efficacy of autologous serum eye drops to enhance conjunctivalization of conjunctival defects remained after scleral patch graft on exposed porous polyethylene orbital implant (Medpor®).
Methods::
Sixteen rabbits were divided into two groups (8 rabbits/group). Each rabbit underwent evisceration, implantation of 14mm-diametered Medpor®, and allogenic scleral patch graft on right eye. Conjunctival edge was sutured on the grafted sclera, leaving 5mm-diametered circular defect. In group A, 20% autologous serum eyed rops diluted with Balanced Salt Solution (BSS) were applied every 2hrs and in group B, only BSS was applied in the same manner. Digitalized anterior segment photographs were obtained at 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21 days after surgery and the size of conjunctival defects was calculated using Image Pro Plus® software.
Results::
The initial conjunctival defect size were not significant different between group A (Autologous serum eyedrops) and group B (BSS eyedrops) (23.25± 6.83, 22.58± 11.04 mm2, p=0.89, Mann-Whitney test).In the early postoperative period (1-10 days), the average conjunctival growth rate (mm2/day ± SD) was faster in group A than in group B but not statistically significant (3.79 ± 1.27 vs. 3.03± 1.31, p=0.26 in 1~3days, 2.39 ± 1.34 vs. 1.80 ± 2.64, p=0.59 in 4~7days, 0.03 ± 1.57 vs. -0.02 ± 1.77, p=0.94 in 7~10days, Mann-Whitney test). The average conjunctival growth rates were not significantly different between two groups through the whole study period (0.03± 2.69 vs. 0.83± 0.96, p=0.45 in 8~14days, and 0.24 ± 0.28 vs. 0.57 ± 0.45, p=0.16 in 15~21days, Mann-Whitney test).The Kaplan- Meier estimate of the complete healing of defects on the graft was not significantly different between 2 groups (p=0.62).There were two cases of implant exposure, one in group A and one in group B, between 10th and 14th day after surgery.
Conclusions::
In a rabbit model, autologous serum eye drops appear to have better effect on the healing of conjunctival defects on exposed porous orbital implant at early postoperative period, but it is not statistically significant.
Keywords: conjunctiva • proliferation • imaging/image analysis: non-clinical