The use of porcine small intestinal submucosa for the repair of full-thickness corneal defects in dogs, cats and horses.

This research studies the use of porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS), a type of graft acquired from pigs, to repair full-thickness corneal wounds in dogs, cats, and horses, finding it an affordable and effective alternative to traditional implant materials used in veterinary ophthalmology.

Methodology

• The researchers reviewed records from the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital dating from August 1999 to February 2003. They specifically looked at cases where a SIS corneal graft was used in treating full-thickness corneal defects, meaning wounds that penetrate all corneal layers.
• The criteria for including a case in the study were that SIS was used as a graft in a full-thickness corneal wound, and that the graft was completely covered with a conjunctival flap, a surgical procedure that involves the placement of a piece of the conjunctiva, the clear tissue covering the white part of the eye, over the graft.
• In total, 15 cases were outlined, including six dogs, two cats, and seven horses. These animals presented various corneal defects such as corneal perforation, chronic ulceration, and stromal corneal abscesses.

Results

• Postoperative complications occurred in some cases, including aqueous leakage (the fluid in front of the eyes leaks out), conjunctival flap dehiscence (separation of the conjunctival flap that covers the graft), synechia (adhesion between the iris and other parts of the eye), cataract (clouding of the lens), and presence of fibrin (a blood-clotting protein) in the anterior chamber of the eye.
• Despite these issues, the treatment was largely successful. Of the 15 patients, 14 were able to see at the final re-evaluation.

Conclusion

• SIS is identified as a cost-effective, manageable biomaterial suitable for repairing full-thickness corneal wounds in dogs, cats, and horses.
• The study concludes that SIS demonstrates effectiveness as an alternative to traditional implantation materials used in veterinary ophthalmology, endorsing further use and study of this method.