title: Simultaneous amniotic membrane patch in high-risk keratoplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the short- and intermediate-term results of simultaneous transplantation of amniotic membrane with high-risk keratoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2002 and February 2004, a simultaneous amniotic membrane patch was transplanted with penetrating keratoplasty in 16 eyes of 16 patients. In 13 eyes, a soft contact lens was applied afterward. Corneal perforation was present in 10 of 14 eyes with emergency keratoplasty. Five patients received systemic immunosuppressive medication for 4-6 months after penetrating keratoplasty.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The amniotic membrane patch fell off after 8 ± 3 (range: 4-14) days without residual tissue except in 1 case. In 15 of 16 eyes, the epithelium was completely closed after 10 ± 8 (range: 4-30) days. In 3 eyes, recurrence of the epithelial defect occurred after 3-6 months. During a follow-up period of 18 ± 6 months, 13 of 16 corneal grafts were clear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simultaneous amniotic membrane transplantation and penetrating keratoplasty may improve the prognosis of corneal graft in eyes with risk of epithelial healing problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Saarland, Germany. berthold.seitz@uks.eu
authors.forename: Berthold
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Seitz
authors.forename: Sujata
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Renate
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hofmann-Rummelt
authors.forename: Matthias W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Beckmann
authors.forename: Friedrich E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Kruse
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation*; D001684:Biological Dressings; D003263:Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D057112:Corneal Perforation / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents