Hitch suture assisted tuck in Tenon's Patch Graft for management of Corneal Perforations

Abstract

Purpose

To describe a novel modification of tuck-in Tenon's patch graft (TPG) using temporary horizontal mattress sutures and fibrin glue to hitch the graft in the management of corneal perforations.

Design

Ambispective interventional case series.

Methods

Modified technique of autologous TPG was used to seal corneal perforations measuring 3–5 mm, using horizontal mattress sutures to hitch the graft in a lamellar pocket, followed by application of fibrin glue. The horizontal mattress sutures were removed after the reformation of the anterior chamber. The primary outcome measure was a well formed anterior chamber in the post-operative period and the secondary outcome was epithelization time.

Results

The surgery was performed in 22 eyes. The mean age was 43.86 ± 16.02 (26–66) years, with 14 males and eight females. The etiologies of corneal perforation included dry eye (n = 10), neurotrophic keratitis (n = 6), trauma (n = 2), chemical injury (n = 2) and exposure (n = 2). The mean size of the perforation with the thinned-out area was 4.3 mm (range 3–5 mm). The mean duration of epithelialization was 14.31 ± 2.63 days (7–21 days). No intraoperative complications were observed. All eyes had a well-formed anterior chamber in the immediate postoperative period. Postoperatively, two eyes had graft pseudoectasia due to a thick graft and supra tenon haemorrhage each; one eye each had graft thinning with the formation of pseudopterygium and graft melting.

Conclusion

Tenon's patch graft, along with the use of temporary horizontal mattress sutures and fibrin glue, is an effective modification of the technique for managing corneal perforations measuring 3–5 mm.