Human lamellar tendon graft in corneal surgery.
BACKGROUND
Due to the lack of donor corneas or unsuitable conditions for keratoplasty because of preexisting conditions such as vascularization, infections, and multiple rejections, scientists have searched for new synthetic and biological materials that can temporarily or permanently substitute for corneal tissue. The purpose of this article is to show our personal experiences with the use of commercially available donor tendon tissue which has been chemically treated and was developed by Muldashev.


METHODS
Ten eyes unsuitable for a corneal allograft underwent lamellar keratoplasty using tendon allografts. Due to differing pathologies various surgical procedures were used. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 18 months.


RESULTS
Transparent or semitransparent corneas resulted in seven of the ten eyes. In the three remaining eyes, conditions were improved for future penetrating keratoplasty because there was a significant decrease in corneal vascularization. The donor tendon was not rejected in any case.


CONCLUSIONS
As an alternative therapeutic method, treated human tendon proved effective as donor material for lamellar keratoplasty.
Signorelli Júnior
A
A
Centro Campineiro de Microcirurgia Refrativa Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Signorelli
C R
CR
Muldashev
E R
ER
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity