Reconstruction of conjunctiva with amniotic membrane after excision of large conjunctival melanoma: a long-term study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate, on a long- term basis, the role of amniotic membrane in the reconstruction of large conjunctival defects after excision of large conjunctival melanoma.


METHODS
Four consecutive patients with diffuse conjunctival melanoma involving both bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva were studied. Conjunctival melanoma was completely excised (with wide clinically disease-free margins) and amniotic membrane immediately sutured to the surrounding conjunctiva and sclera to cover the conjunctival defect. Minimum follow-up was 48 months.


RESULTS
Successful conjunctival surface reconstruction and physiologic fornical depth were achieved in all patients within 6 weeks. No recurrence of primary melanoma was observed during long-term follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Amniotic membrane transplantation is an effective alternative in ocular surface repairing surgery after removal of large conjunctival tumors.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Padova, Padova - Italy.
G
G
Dalla Pozza
A
A
Ghirlando
F
F
Busato
E
E
Midena
D000368:Aged; D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000601:surgery*; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*