title: Corneal grafting for the treatment of full-thickness corneal defects in dogs: a review of 50 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe corneal grafting for the treatment of full-thickness corneal defects in dogs and to determine its effectiveness in preserving vision.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the medical records of dogs that underwent corneal grafting following corneal perforations (≥3 mm) at the VTH-UAB from 2002 to 2012 was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty dogs of different breed, age and gender were included. Brachycephalic breeds were overrepresented (37/50;74%). All cases were unilateral, with euryblepharon being the most common concurrent ocular abnormality (20/50;40%). Full-thickness penetrating keratoplasties (FTPK) were performed in 21/50 eyes (42%) and lamellar keratoplasties (LK) in 29/50 eyes (58%). Frozen grafts (FroG) were used in 43/50 eyes (86%) and fresh homologous grafts (FreHoG) in 7/50 (14%). Of the former group, 26 were homologous (FroHoG:60%) and 17 heterologous (FroHeG:40%). A combination of topical medication (antibiotics, corticosteroids, cycloplegics, and 0.2% cyclosporine A) and systemic mycophenolate mofetil was administered. Median follow-up time was 200 days. Postsurgical complications included wound dehiscence (6/50;12%) and glaucoma (4/50;8%). Clinical signs of graft rejection were diagnosed as follows: FroHoG (13/26;50%), FroHeG (11/17;65%), FreHoG (4/7;57%), FTPK (12/21;57%), and LK (16/29;55%). Medical treatment successfully controlled graft rejection in 11/28 eyes (39%). Good anatomical outcome was achieved in 86% (43/50), of which 95% (41/43) were visual at last examination, with moderate opacification to complete transparency of the graft present in 48.2%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Corneal grafting is an effective surgical treatment for full-thickness corneal defects in dogs. If graft rejection is present, additional medical or surgical therapy may be necessary, achieving a highly satisfactory visual outcome.
authors.affiliation: Servei d'Oftalmologia, Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Carrer del Hospital s/n, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain.
authors.forename: Rodrigo P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Lacerda
authors.affiliation: Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edific V, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Peña Gimenez
authors.affiliation: Servei d'Oftalmologia, Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Carrer del Hospital s/n, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Laguna
authors.affiliation: Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edific V, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Medical Statistics Core Facility, DIBAPS (Hospital Clínic), Barcelona, 08036, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ríos
authors.affiliation: Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animal, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edific V, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, 08193, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leiva
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057112:Corneal Perforation / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000662:veterinary; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000662:veterinary; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000662:veterinary; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: allograft; corneal ulcer; lamellar keratoplasty; penetrating keratoplasty; rejection; xenograft