[Long-term results of amniotic membrane transplantation for conjunctival surface reconstruction].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the long-term results of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for conjunctival surface reconstruction after symblepharon resection and analysis the related factors.


METHODS
Fifty-one cases (55 eyes) with symblepharon due to eye burns (chemical or heat) or Stevens-Johnson syndrome were selected for symblepharon resection and AMT. Ten eyes were performed within 1 year and twenty-three eyes in 1.0 to 8.0 years after chemical eye burns.


RESULTS
Observation time varied from 26.0 to 30.0 months [mean value (27.4 +/- 2.6) months]. No necrosis and ulceration were found in all amnion grafts at the early stage after transplantation. Deep conjunctival fornix and free of eye movement were obtained in 56.4% (31/55) of those eyes received surgery. Slight symblepharon recurrence and limited eye movement restrict were revealed in 16.4% of them (9/55), Fifteen eyes of them (27.3%) shown moderate recurrence of symblepharon. The effects of AMT for those patients with different degree of symblepharon had significant difference statistically (Pearson Chi-Square, P = 0.000). The same results were observed between those patients who were performed in different time after chemical eye burns (Likelihood Ratio, P = 0.039) and with different severity of dry eye (Pearson Chi-Square, P = 0.000).


CONCLUSIONS
Amniotic membrane can be used to reconstruct ocular surface effectively, but multiple surgeries may be needed. These microenvironments such as symblepharon severity, dry eye, and whether remained partial healthy conjunctiva in the affected eyes before surgery will influence the long-term results of AMT for conjunctival surface reconstruction.
Zhou
Shi-You
SY
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, zhongshan University, Guangzhou 510060, China.
Chen
Jia-Qi
JQ
Chen
Long-Shan
LS
Liu
Zu-Guo
ZG
Huang
Ting
T
Wang
Zhi-Chong
ZC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000601:surgery*; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013262:Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Q000601:surgery