Use of nonpreserved human amniotic membrane for the reconstruction of the ocular surface.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of nonpreserved human amniotic membrane (NP-AMT) as an alternative to preserved human amniotic membrane (AMT) for the reconstruction of the ocular surface in several diseases.


METHODS
NP-AMT was used in the treatment of five patients with the following diseases: noninvasive conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma, corneal persistent epithelial defect, severe alkali burn, near total limbal deficiency secondary to multiple surgeries, and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. In some cases, a limbal autograft or allograft was employed simultaneously, sutured on top of the NP-AMT. All sutures were made with 10-0 Nylon and were removed at two weeks.


RESULTS
Ocular surface was satisfactorily reconstructed, eyes were quiet, and patients were comfortable despite prolonged deepithelialization in some cases. There was a case of a limbal autograft ischemia--in the burned patient--that caused partial corneal conjunctivalization. Initially, the NP-AMT looks thickened but thins around the fifth day and looks similar to AMT.


CONCLUSIONS
Results using NP-AMT are similar to those of AMT. It is a good alternative and it is easily obtained in places were AMT is not available or is too expensive to procure.
Mejía
L F
LF
Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud-CES, Medellín, Colombia. lfmejia@epm.net.co
Acosta
C
C
Santamaría
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation*; D001684:Biological Dressings; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D014021:Tissue Preservation; D014945:Wound Healing