Clinical study of conjunctival surface reconstruction after symblepharon lysis

Abstract

Objective To compare the results of amniotic membrane transplantation(AMT)and oral mucosa membrane transplantation(MT)for conjunctival surface reconstruction.Methods One hundred and two eyes of 98 cases who received symblepharon lysis combined AMT or MT for conjunctival surface reconstruction due to symblepharon after eye bums were retrospectively examined,and their history and eye conditions were recorded.Results The follow-up time was 0.5 to 18 years(mean 15.2±21.0 months).There were significant difference statistically between the effects of these two surgeries for conjunctival surface reconstruction in those patients with severe symblepharon(x2=8.240,P=0.016),MT was better.In the cases who received their first AMT,the surgical effects for patients with moderate symblepharon depended on the intervals from burns to surgery(x2=18.980,P=0.001).It was the best for over 12 months after bums.Meanwhile,in the cases who received MT,there was no close relationship between surgical effect and the interval time.The effect of conjunctival reconstruction with MT was better than that with AMT when surgeries were performed in 6-12 months after eye burns(x2=6.949,P=0.031).Conclusions Oral mucosal membrane has at least the same effect of anmiotic membrane for conjunctival surface reconstruction after symblepharon lysis.The effect of AMT depends on the interval time from eye bums to surgery,but MT does not.Oral mucosal membrane transplantation may be better than amniotic membrane transplantation for those patients with severe symblepharon. Key words: Amniotic membrane; Oral mucosal membrane; Ocular burns; Symblepharon; Conjunctival surface reconstruction