Use of bovine pericardium (Tutopatch^®) graft for surgical repair of deep melting corneal ulcers in dogs and corneal sequestra in cats

Abstract

Bovine pericardium graft offers a promising option for surgical reconstruction of the cornea following keratectomy for the management of corneal ulcers and sequestra.

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

“…Apart from recurrence and rejection, other reported FCS‐postoperative complications include residual pigment in CCT (1/17;6%) and in SIS grafts (3/5;60%), bacterial overgrowth in an AM graft (1/7;14%), and corneal ectasia in bovine pericardium grafting (1/3;33%) . In the present study, two eyes (11%) showed mild diffuse corneal pigment that resolved spontaneously, and one eye (5%) presented with graft malacia, which required a second keratoplasty, achieving good tectonic outcome and mild to moderate opacification.…”

“…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 .…”

“…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 …”

Use of cyanoacrylate adhesive in the surgical management of feline corneal sequestrum: 16 cases (2011‐2018)

“…Previously reported treatments for feline corneal sequestrum include lamellar keratectomy alone or in conjunction with conjunctival autografts, corneoconjunctival transposition, or grafts of porcine small intestinal submucosa or urinary bladder acellular matrix, bovine pericardium, equine amniotic membrane, or fresh or frozen homologous or heterologous corneal tissue . Success rates for previously reported techniques are generally good but recurrences are seen with all techniques.…”

“…Interventions evaluated in the literature for feline corneal sequestrum include lamellar or full‐thickness keratectomy with or without a grafting procedure . Surgical time, procedure cost, duration of postoperative treatment, and final corneal clarity can vary significantly depending on the procedure performed.…”