A clinical study of lameller and full-thickness mouth mucosa transplantation for symblepharon

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effects of transplantation of mouth mucosa for symblepharon. Methods Fourteen eyes of symblepharon were treated with lameller mouth mucosa transplantation, and 12 eyes were treated with full-thickness mouth mucosa transplantation. The mouth mucosa was flattened onto the conjunctival defect, the mucosa was secured to surrounding conjunctival edge with 7/0 nylon sutures. Results Surgery successfully released the symblepharon of the two groups (14/14, 12/12). All mouth mucosa grafts were alive during a 6-12 months follow-up. The operation of reconstruction of conjunctival sac for all eyes was successful (14/14, 12/12). The full-thickness mouth mucosa group appeared red and opacity, the lameller mouth mucosa group showed pale pink and semitransparent. The patient's satisfaction degree in the full-thickness group (4/12) was worse than the lameller group (11/14). Conclusions Transplantation of lameller and full-thickness mouth mucosa appears to be a promising surgical treatment for reconstructing the ocular surface in patients with symblepharon. The thansplantation of lameller is more perfect. Key words: Lameller mouth mucosa; Full-thickness mouth mucosa; Transplantation; Symblepharon