Repair of a giant scleral ulcer with preserved sclera and tissue adhesive

Ophthalmic Surg Lasers. 1996 Dec;27(12):995-9.

Abstract

Background and objective: Infectious scleral ulcer is a rare but severe late complication of pterygium surgery. Scleral grafts may be required in scleral ectasia with uveal exposure, corneal distortion, and severe anterior chamber reaction that are induced by scleral ulcer. The authors report a method for scleral grafting with preserved sclera and tissue adhesive.

Patients and methods: Six cases of infectious scleral ulcers were repaired with this method. Preserved sclera was attached to the thinning sclera with tissue adhesive without sutures. The free or rotation conjunctival flap was placed over the graft area and sutured with 10-0 nylon.

Results: The six cases repaired by this method showed good results during the follow-up, except for one loss. The only complication was protrusion of the adhesive postoperatively. This protrusion can be easily removed with forceps on an outpatient basis.

Conclusion: Tissue adhesive with preserved sclera is a useful method for repair of scleral thinning.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cyanoacrylates / administration & dosage*
  • Debridement
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial / etiology
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial / surgery*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pseudomonas Infections / etiology
  • Pseudomonas Infections / surgery*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / isolation & purification
  • Reoperation
  • Sclera / transplantation*
  • Scleral Diseases / microbiology
  • Scleral Diseases / surgery*
  • Surgical Flaps / methods
  • Surgical Wound Infection / complications
  • Surgical Wound Infection / drug therapy
  • Surgical Wound Infection / surgery*
  • Sutures
  • Tissue Preservation*
  • Ulcer / microbiology
  • Ulcer / surgery*

Substances

  • Cyanoacrylates