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360‐degree conjunctival grafting for management of diffuse keratomalacia in a dog
Author(s) -
Pumphrey Stephanie A.,
Pizzirani Stefano,
Pirie Christopher G.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
veterinary ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.594
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1463-5224
pISSN - 1463-5216
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2010.00864.x
Subject(s) - enucleation , medicine , grafting , surgery , skin grafting , medical therapy , chemistry , organic chemistry , polymer
We present a report describing use of a 360‐degree conjunctival graft for management of progressive keratomalacia refractory to medical treatment in a 5‐month‐old American Cocker Spaniel. In the dog of this report, the extension of melting to nearly the entire corneal surface limited surgical options. Following surgery and later resection of the graft, the patient is visual with minimal corneal opacity. Numerous corneal grafting techniques have been described in companion animals, but require special materials and may not be possible when melting is extensive. Although older animals or animals with additional corneal pathology may have less ideal outcomes in terms of corneal clarity than the patient of this report, we believe that 360‐degree conjunctival grafting offers a viable and cost‐effective option for management of cases with extensive keratomalacia that may otherwise have resulted in enucleation.