Excision of a feline limbal melanoma and use of nictitans cartilage to repair the resulting corneoscleral defect.
A limbal melanoma was surgically removed from a 12-year-old castrated male black domestic shorthair (DSH) cat. The resulting full-thickness eye wall defect was repaired using the autologous third eyelid cartilage. The patient was followed for 85 days postoperatively, during which time there was no recurrence. Other than a small amount of fibrin and blood at the anterior lens capsule, no significant complications were seen. Use of the third eyelid cartilage as graft material following resection of a feline limbal melanoma can be effective for repairing large eye wall defects and preserving ocular function. The third eyelid proved to be a convenient source of graft material. In addition, autologous grafting can reduce the potential for iatrogenic spread of infectious agents such as feline herpes virus.
Kanai
Kazutaka
K
Department of Internal Medicine III, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa 229-8511, Japan. kanai@db3.so-net.ne.jp
Kanemaki
Nobuyuki
N
Matsuo
Shirou
S
Ichikawa
Youichiro
Y
Okujima
Hisataka
H
Wada
Yoshinori
Y
D000818:Animals; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016850:Limbus Corneae; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D009541:Nictitating Membrane / Q000637:transplantation*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000662:veterinary