Conjunctival limbal autograft and allograft transplantation using fibrin glue.
OBJECTIVE
Conjunctival limbal autograft is the surgical treatment of choice for visually significant unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency. The use of fibrin glue, which has been reported extensively in pterygium and other conjunctival surgeries, has not been fully described in limbal stem cell transplantation.


METHODS
The authors reviewed 3 cases of conjunctival limbal autograft and 1 of living related conjunctival limbal allograft using only fibrin glue to secure the graft. Main outcome measures included ocular surface stability, visual acuity, and postoperative complications.


RESULTS
At most recent follow-up, all 4 patients (100%) maintained a stable ocular surface. Mean epithelial healing time was 10 days. Mean visual acuity improved from 20/400 to 20/53. All grafts were successful with no postoperative dislocations or displacements.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings demonstrate that fibrin glue can be used safely and effectively to secure conjunctival limbal grafts in limbal stem cell deficiency. This novel approach has the potential to decrease operative time, increase ease of technique, and improve patient comfort postoperatively.
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of Illinois at Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Jeffrey D
JD
Welder
Hemang K
HK
Pandya
Nariman
N
Nassiri
Ali R
AR
Djalilian
D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D014014:Tissue Adhesives