Abstract
Purpose :
To assess the use of a novel staphyloma repair technique using a filamentous knitted polyester fabric (FKPF) as an effective surgical method for improving cosmetic, architectural, and functional outcomes.
Methods :
A prospective, interventional case study of 4 patients with a staphyloma was conducted over a 6-month period. Inclusion criteria was a diagnosis of intercalary, ciliary, or equatorial staphyloma of one eye. Anterior and posterior staphylomas were excluded.
Staphyloma repair technique began with a conjunctival dissection to expose the prolapsed choroid and ciliary body. Next, the weakened scleral sites were covered with a 2mm FKPF material, which was fixed with an 8-0 polyglactin suture to the healthy sclera. Intrascleral fixation was completed by placing an interrupted suture around the graft. Postoperatively, patients were given intra-ocular pressure lowering drops.
Results :
All four cases underwent successful repair and followed up at 6-months postoperatively. All the patients had stable vision, and IOP was well-controlled with IOP lowering agents. None of the patients required any re-grafting, or any additional surgical intervention.
Conclusions :
Filamentous knitted polyester fabric is a readily available, inert material that shows promise as an alternative to donor scleral graft in staphyloma repair. FKPF has been shown to be tissue friendly as it does not lead to an immunogenic reaction, unlike donor sclera with the added benefit of bypassing the need for any graft harvesting and preservation. Additionally, FKPF has shown great tensile strength and long-term durability. At 6-month follow-up, no cases developed a recurrence of the staphyloma or required repeat grafting intervention. All patients expressed satisfaction with their postoperative cosmetic, functional, and structural outcomes.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.