1301 What Can Be Done to Minimise the Mucosal Complications of Surgical Intervention Involved in the Treatment of Corneal Blindness Through Osteo-Odonto-Keratoprosthesis

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP), “tooth-in-eye surgery”, is a rare, complex surgery offered to certain patients with bilateral corneal blindness. Indications for the surgery include and range from: Steven-Johnson syndrome to end-stage ocular surface diseases. OOKP consists of two stages undertaken four months apart. Surgical complications can be divided into intraoperative and following stages 1 and 2. The most common postoperative complications include: Mucosal thinning/ulceration, mucosal overgrowth, and infection. We discuss, preventive methods which can be considered before the stage 2 intervention to minimise the rate of complications post OOKP surgery. Method A literature search was conducted in PubMed and Research gate to determine the main complications following involvement of maxillofacial surgery. Our key search criteria included mucosal complications post maxillofacial and oculoplastic surgical involvement. We selected for complications, post harvestation and transfer of the buccal mucosa onto the eye surface in OOKP. Results Three studies were selected, with a total of 130 patients. 58% experiencing surgical complications following stage 2. Study 1 demonstrated mucosal graft complications (22%), mucosal overgrowth(28%), mucosal thinning and ulceration(22%). Notably, 38% experienced no complications following the second stage. In the remaining studies, post-operative complications were divided into mucosal necrosis (33%) and mucosal overgrowth(13%), showing how complications can often interplay. Conclusions OOKP is a complex and laborious multi-disciplinary surgery, amenable to postoperative complications. Mucosal complications occur in a significant number of cases; therefore, it is important to anticipate these and endeavour to avert them. We outline how through prudent patient selection and pre-operative patient care (promotion and correction of dentition and oral health, examination of oral mucosa and maintenance of good mucosal graft health), outcomes for this surgery can be significantly improved.