Ilya M Leyngold1, Michael T Yen2, James Tian3, Mark M Leyngold4, Gargi K Vora5, Christopher Weller6. 1. Division of Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Hospital, Durham, North Carolina. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. 3. Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina. 4. Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida. 5. Cornea Division, Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Hospital, Durham, North Carolina. 6. Division of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe a minimally invasive surgical technique and its clinical outcomes with the use of acellular nerve allograft to re-establish corneal sensibility in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy. METHODS: Acellular nerve allograft was coapted to an intact supraorbital, supratrochlear, or infraorbital nerve and transferred to the affected eye. Donor nerve pedicles were isolated through a transpalpebral or transconjunctival approach. Retrospective evaluation of preoperative and postoperative corneal sensibility, ocular surface, and best-corrected visual acuity was performed in all patients. Mean follow-up period was 6 months (range: 3-10 months). RESULTS: Corneal neurotization with acellular nerve allograft was successfully performed in 7 patients with restoration of corneal sensibility and corneal epithelial integrity. In vivo confocal microscopy demonstrated increased nerve density in corneal stroma at 4 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The use of acellular nerve allograft allows for a minimally invasive approach to successful corneal neurotization.
PURPOSE: To describe a minimally invasive surgical technique and its clinical outcomes with the use of acellular nerve allograft to re-establish corneal sensibility in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy. METHODS: Acellular nerve allograft was coapted to an intact supraorbital, supratrochlear, or infraorbital nerve and transferred to the affected eye. Donor nerve pedicles were isolated through a transpalpebral or transconjunctival approach. Retrospective evaluation of preoperative and postoperative corneal sensibility, ocular surface, and best-corrected visual acuity was performed in all patients. Mean follow-up period was 6 months (range: 3-10 months). RESULTS:Corneal neurotization with acellular nerve allograft was successfully performed in 7 patients with restoration of corneal sensibility and corneal epithelial integrity. In vivo confocal microscopy demonstrated increased nerve density in corneal stroma at 4 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The use of acellular nerve allograft allows for a minimally invasive approach to successful corneal neurotization.
Authors: Catherine Y Liu; Andrea C Arteaga; Sammie E Fung; M Soledad Cortina; Ilya M Leyngold; Vinay K Aakalu Journal: Ocul Surf Date: 2021-02-26 Impact factor: 5.033