| International FP-016 |
| Comparative analysis of the effect of the preserved corneal and scleral graft in scleral defect rabbit model |
| Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea(1), Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Seoul Artificial Eye Center, Seoul National University Hospital Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea(2) |
| Kyoung Woo Kim(1,2), Jin Suk Ryu(2), Jun Yeob Kim(2), Mee Kum Kim(1,2) |
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Purpose : Preserved sclera has been widely performed for repairing scleral defect. Sclera lacks basement membrane and the structural arrangement of stromal collagen fibers is irregular compared to cornea. In this reason, in scleral defect accompanying the overlying extended conjunctival defect, amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) on the grafted sclera should be required. To reduce time-consuming AMT procedure, preserved cornea which includes basement membrane and regularly arranged collagen fibers can be a substitute. We compared the effectiveness of preserved cornea versus preserved sclera in scleral defect rabbit model.
Methods : Right and left eyes from 5 New Zealand White rabbits were assigned to cornea grafted group (n=5) and sclera grafted group (n=5), respectively. After lamellar-dissecting the superotemporal sclera using 6.0-mm trephine, the same sized preserved human corneal or scleral graft was transplanted using 10-0 nylon suture. The grafted areas were photo-documented at postsurgical 2 to 21 days and epithelial wound healing index (%), peri-graft vascularization and the presence of filaments were evaluated.
Results : Epithelial wound healing index was significantly higher in corneal grafted group at 7 (p=0.030) and 9 days (p=0.038). Sclera grafted group revealed copious formation of filamentous strands adherent to grafted scleral surface from 9 days to 14 days (p=0.048), while filament formation was not found throughout whole period in cornea grafted group. Although without significant inter-group difference, 3 rabbits in sclera grafted group revealed severe peri-graft conjunctival hyperemia at 21 days.
Conclusion : The enhanced epithelial wound healing and the alleviation of inflammation as seen in cornea graft group in rabbit model suggest that the preserved cornea may be a favorable alternative to sclera as a graft material for repairing scleral defect.
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