Amniotic membrane transplantation for the treatment of feline corneal sequestrum: pilot study

Abstract

Amniotic membrane transplantation after lamellar keratectomy was a valid procedure for surgical treatment of corneal sequestrum in cats. The procedure resulted in excellent cosmesis and functional vision in five of seven eyes; although case selection is important, particularly to exclude the very deep and non-vascularized sequestra.

A multicenter retrospective study on cryopreserved amniotic membrane transplantation for the treatment of complicated corneal ulcers in the dog

“…Overall, the outcomes are satisfactory (82%‐100%) with different degrees of corneal opacification being reported. Amniotic membrane, although more recently introduced in the field of ophthalmology, has been described for the treatment of stromal ulcers, melting ulcers, epithelial cysts, dermoids, neoplasms, chemical burns, glaucoma filtration surgery, Herpes simplex virus‐1 and sequestrum …”

“…Amniotic membrane, although more recently introduced in the field of ophthalmology, has been described for the treatment of stromal ulcers, 15 melting ulcers, 31 epithelial cysts, 22 dermoids, 23 neoplasms, 17,20 chemical burns, 32 glaucoma filtration surgery, 33 Herpes simplex virus-1 34 and sequestrum. 16 During the last few years, AM has demonstrated unique properties when compared to the replacement materials used so far in corneal surgeries. Those properties include epitheliotropic, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory, anti-scarring, and anti-protease effects, which probably makes AM the replacement tissue with boArder indications.…”

Corneal grafting for the treatment of feline corneal sequestrum: a retrospective study of 18 eyes (13 cats)

“…Superficial keratectomy, although discouraged by some authors as a single procedure, can be performed when lesions affect less than 50% of the stromal depth . When the lesions are deeper (50–70% stromal depth), a grafting technique is required to strengthen the corneal structure, such as conjunctival grafting, corneoconjunctival transposition (CCT), biomaterial grafting [amniotic membrane (AM), bovine pericardium, porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS)], or keratoplasty . Very deep (>70% stromal depth) and full‐thickness FCS have been previously treated with AM grafting, SIS, and keratoplasty, with variable outcomes .…”

“…When the lesions are deeper (50–70% stromal depth), a grafting technique is required to strengthen the corneal structure, such as conjunctival grafting, corneoconjunctival transposition (CCT), biomaterial grafting [amniotic membrane (AM), bovine pericardium, porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS)], or keratoplasty . Very deep (>70% stromal depth) and full‐thickness FCS have been previously treated with AM grafting, SIS, and keratoplasty, with variable outcomes . The deep FCSs treated with AM yielded, in the majority of the cases, to major complications that required conjunctival grafting (2/3;66%) .…”

“…While there is some debate on the most effective therapy for the FCS, most veterinary ophthalmologists treat the condition with a superficial keratectomy, with or without tectonic support to provide strength to the healthy cornea. This structural support can be achieved by means of conjunctival grafts, biomaterials, corneoscleral transpositions, or keratoplasties …”