Progressive replacement of oral mucosa by conjunctiva in osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis: preliminary observations.
OBJECTIVE
In a Strampelli osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis, a patch of oral mucosa is frequently used to cover the ocular surface after implantation of an osteodental lamina into the eye. In many cases, gross modifications in the eye covering become apparent a few years later. The aim of this study was to investigate the histologic findings in the clinically modified ocular surface.


METHODS
Biopsies were performed in 7 patients at the junction between the osteodental acrylic lamina and surrounding modified oral mucosa, during surgery for local plastic reconstruction or positioning of antiglaucoma silicone tubes. Specimens were examined by light microscopy.


RESULTS
Six of the 7 clinically modified specimens corresponded microscopically to conjunctiva. Typical oral mucosa could still be observed overlying the osteodental acrylic lamina.


CONCLUSIONS
The production of local regulatory factors is a possible explanation for the survival of oral mucosa over the osteodental acrylic lamina, whereas their absence in distant areas may have induced the oral mucosa to transdifferentiate into a conjunctival-type lining. Alternatively, conjunctival regrowth from forniceal stem cells should be taken into consideration.
Pecorella
Irene
I
Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University La Sapienza, 00161 Rome, Italy. irene.pecorella@uniroma1.it
Maurizio
Taloni
T
Antonio
Ciardi
C
Giancarlo
Falcinelli
F
D000179:Acrylates; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000637:transplantation*; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D001706:Biopsy; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000637:transplantation*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design
D000179:Acrylates