gms | German Medical Science

Purpose: To evaluate the use of PRECLUDE^® Pericardial Membrane composed of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) as an alternative surgical procedure for large deep corneal ulcer with small perforation in 53 year-old women with Wegener granulomatosis in amaurotic eye with severe ischemic oculopathy following retinal necrotizing vasculitis 5 years ago on both eyes with no light perception.

Methods: Non-absorbable, microporous, watertight 0.1 mm thick ePTFE membrane was used for corneal ulcer closure. Proper size of membrane was cut to overlap the defect adequately and to achieve a desired tissue attachment without conjunctival preparation. The membrane was fixated to the cornea with several non-absorbable sutures to achieve the proper stress without wrinkling.

Results: Corneal perforation was successfully covered with ePTFE membrane, anterior chamber was deep. The patient had no pain or discomfort. No other complications occurred during follow-up. No signs of infections or inflammations were detected on follow-up examinations. Three months after surgical treatment the ePTPE membrane was removed. The underlying cornea was thin, firm, stable and completely vascularised. The deep of the anterior chamber was normal. Intraocular pressure was normal with local antiglaucoma medication using digital tonometry for evaluation.

Conclusions: PRECLUDE^® Pericardial Membrane was found to be a safe and effective surgical procedure for perforating corneal ulcer in eyes with very high risk graft rejections for eye preservation. Further studies are necessary to confirm our results.