Corneal Stromal Transplantation With Human-derived Acellular Dermal Matrix for Pellucid Marginal Corneal Degeneration: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial. Issue 6 (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Xiaodan; Wang, Yuexin; Qiu, Weiqiang; Huang, Chen; Liu, Ziyuan; Ding, Tong; Shi, Danna; Li, Xuemin
• Is Part Of: Transplantation. Volume 103:Issue 6(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc -- Periodicals; Transplantation immunology -- Periodicals; 617.95
• DOI: 10.1097/TP.0000000000002681
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0041-1337

Abstract

Abstract : Background: To investigate the transparency, biocompatibility, and safety of human-derived acellular dermal matrix for application in corneal stromal transplantation. Methods: Twenty-four patients (24 eyes) with pellucid marginal corneal degeneration were enrolled, and intrastromal keratoplasty was performed with human-derived acellular dermal matrix. The ocular symptoms and signs as well as graft characteristics were evaluated at baseline and at 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Photography by a slit lamp, topography by Pentacam, anterior segment-optical coherence tomography, and corneal confocal microscopy were conducted at baseline and during the follow-up period. Results: Postoperative discomfort was relieved during the follow-up period. No abnormal ocular signs were observed at 6 months, indicating the safety of the procedure. Desirable and improved transparency of the grafts was demonstrated, and all the grafts healed without dissolution or fall at 6 months postoperatively. Reepithelization was completed, and confocal microscopy revealed that keratocytes and nerves repopulated in all the grafts at 6 months postoperatively. The thinning of the marginal corneal stroma was eliminated following the transplantation, and the curvature and corneal regularity remained stable at 6 months compared with baseline. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated the transparency, biocompatibility, and safety of human-derived acellular dermis matrix in intrastromal keratoplasty. With further improvements, human-derived acellular dermis matrix could be applied in central lamellar keratoplasty and ultimately solve the shortage of donor grafts.