Bidirectional corneo-conjunctival transposition for large and deep canine corneal wound healing

Abstract

This case report describes satisfactory correction of deep and large canine corneal ulcerations by application of bidirectional corneo-conjunctival transposition (CCT). A 12-year-old spayed female Maltese dog with a large corneal descemetocele, perforation, and blepharospasm of the right eye was referred to Chungbuk National University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. More than half of the thickness of the cornea was damaged, and the ulcer was progressive. On ophthalmic examination, menace response and dazzle reflex were absent. No corneal melting was observed. As the patient had large and deep corneal ulcers, traditional one-sided CCT was not sufficient to cover the wound lesion. To increase corneal transparency after recovery, we decided to perform bidirectional CCT from 12 o’ clock on the dorsal side to 7 o’ clock on the ventral side. The dog was medicated with topical eye drops, ofloxacin, atropine, and moxifloxacin before surgery. Debridement with a diamond burr was then performed around the descemetocele. Five weeks after surgery, the dazzle reflex was restored as the blood vessel receded from the cornea to the conjunctiva. Eight weeks after surgery, corneal transparency and corneal stability were gradually restored, but not completely. Bidirectional CCT provides structural support and helps corneal wound healing in large canine corneal ulceration.