Minor ipsilateral simple limbal epithelial transplantation (mini-SLET) for pterygium treatment

Abstract

We describe a novel surgical technique for pterygium removal taking advantage of the properties of amniotic membrane and limbal epithelial stem cells. A total of 10 eyes underwent pterygium excision with amniotic membrane coverage of the bare sclera and placement of pieces of limbal epithelium in a linear fashion in the affected limbal area covered by a second amniotic membrane using fibrin glue. After up to 8 months of follow-up, there were no signs of early recurrence or sight-threatening complications. The minor ipsilateral simple limbal epithelial transplantation technique for the treatment of pterygium requires less tissue than the conventional conjunctival autograft, leaving healthy conjunctiva if needed for another procedure in the future and offers the advantages of epithelial stem cells, which in the long term may reduce the rate of recurrence significantly.

Simple limbal epithelial transplantation: Current status and future perspectives

“…These included the largest prospective study to date, with 125 patients and a follow‐up period of at least 1 year and a multicenter international study of 68 patients . The remaining 23 studies were noncomparative single case studies or case series of 10 eyes or less . One study directly compared SLET with CLAU, with 10 patients randomly assigned to each group .…”

“…The Sangwan group in India published the most studies . Other centers in India, England, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, and the United States also contributed.…”

“…The most common complications following SLET reported in the three largest follow‐up studies (involving 125, 68, and 30 patients) were focal recurrence of LSCD, progressive conjunctivalization, progressive symblepharon, and keratitis (Table ) . More unusual complications were loss of transplants following surgery, epithelial defects that persisted for more than 6 months, and pyogenic granuloma …”

“…27 The remaining 23 studies were noncomparative single case studies or case series of 10 eyes or less. 2,4,[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52] One study directly compared SLET with CLAU, with 10 patients randomly assigned to each group. 33 The Sangwan group in India published the most studies.…”

“…33 The Sangwan group in India published the most studies. 2,3,27,29,35,[42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] Other centers in India, 4,23,28,[30][31][32][33][39][40][41]51,52 England, 38 Brazil, 36 Mexico, 34 Thailand, 50 and the United States 37 also contributed.…”