title: Use of split-thickness dermal graft in the surgical treatment of corneal and scleral defects.
abstract: We used split-thickness dermal grafts for the surgical treatment of corneal and scleral perforations in two patients and obtained excellent results. Patient 1 had severe lye burns and bilateral corneal perforations and Patient 2 had scleromalacia perforans. The dermal graft self-epithelializes and, thus, does not need to be covered by conjunctiva; is supple, without the bulkiness of other materials, particularly cartilage and periosteum; is hearty and flourishes on avascular surfaces such as cornea and sclera; has good tensile strength; and is autogenous.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mauriello
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Pokorny
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cinotti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012590:Sclera; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D014792:Visual Acuity