Temporary sutureless amniotic membrane patch for acute alkaline burns.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical outcome of a new sutureless approach for a temporary amniotic membrane patch (ProKera; Bio-Tissue, Inc, Miami, Florida) in eyes with acute burns.


METHODS
Retrospective review of 5 eyes of 5 patients with grades I to III acute alkaline burns, receiving ProKera insertion within 8 days of injury.


RESULTS
These eyes had either total (2 cases) or extensive (60%-75%, 3 cases) corneal epithelial defects with limbal (120 degrees -360 degrees ) and conjunctival (30%-60%) epithelial defects. ProKera was inserted within a mean (SD) of 3.7 (3.1) days after burn and repeated 1 to 3 times for 3 cases. Conjunctival defects reepithelialized in 8.2 (5) days (range, 5-17 days), while limbal and corneal defects healed in 13.6 (8.3) days (range, 5-25 days). The latter was completed with circumferential closure of limbal defects followed by centripetal healing of corneal defects. In 3 eyes, early peripheral corneal neovascularization was followed by marked regression on completion of healing. During 16.8 (10.8) months of follow-up, all eyes retained a stable surface with improved corneal clarity, and without limbal deficiency or symblepharon.


CONCLUSIONS
This sutureless application of an amniotic membrane patch allows for early delivery of its biologic actions, which may help preserve remaining limbal stem cells for rapid expansion and prevent late cicatricial complications in eyes with mild and moderate acute alkaline burns.
Kheirkhah
Ahmad
A
Ocular Surface Center, 7000 SW 97th Ave, Ste 213, Miami, FL 33173, USA.
Johnson
Daniel A
DA
Paranjpe
Deval R
DR
Raju
V K
VK
Casas
Victoria
V
Tseng
Scheffer C G
SC
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000468:Alkalies; D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation; D001684:Biological Dressings; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000503:physiopathology; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D000468:Alkalies