Limbal allograft transplantation using fibrin glue

Arch Ophthalmol. 2011 Feb;129(2):218-22. doi: 10.1001/archophthalmol.2010.370.

Abstract

Limbal transplantation is now widely accepted as the treatment of advanced limbal stem cell deficiency. Herein, we describe a technique for harvesting thin limbal grafts from cadaveric corneoscleral rims and a sutureless method to secure the grafts to the recipient eye using fibrin glue. We report the results of fibrin glue-assisted keratolimbal allograft in 19 eyes of 16 patients, with the outcome measures being ocular surface stability, visual acuity, and postoperative complications. The results indicate that limbal allograft transplantation can be performed safely and successfully using only fibrin glue to secure the grafts. This can potentially improve surgical efficiency and patient comfort postoperatively.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Corneal Diseases / pathology
  • Corneal Diseases / surgery*
  • Epithelial Cells / transplantation*
  • Female
  • Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Complications
  • Limbus Corneae / cytology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Stem Cells / pathology
  • Tissue Adhesives / therapeutic use*
  • Tissue Donors
  • Tissue and Organ Harvesting
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Visual Acuity / physiology

Substances

  • Fibrin Tissue Adhesive
  • Tissue Adhesives