Corneoconjunctival transposition for the treatment of deep stromal to full‐thickness corneal defects in dogs: A multicentric retrospective study of 100 cases (2012‐2018)

Objective To describe and evaluate the use of corneoconjunctival transposition (CTT) as a surgical treatment for canine deep stromal ulcers, descemetoceles, and full‐thickness corneal defects and to determine its efficacy in preserving corneal graft transparency and vision. Animals studied One hundred client‐owned dogs with deep stromal ulcers, descemetoceles, or full‐thickness corneal defects. Methods Medical records of canine patients that underwent CCT, from 2012 to 2018, were reviewed. Only, patients with preoperative positive consensual pupillary light and dazzle reflexes were included. Results There were 59 males and 41 females, from 0.3 to 17 years. Brachycephalic breeds were overrepresented (65%). All patients were unilaterally affected, with 16 deep stromal ulcers, 33 descemetoceles, and 51 corneal perforations, of a median (range) size of 4 (2‐8) mm. The central cornea was affected in the majority of cases (57%), and euryblepharon and keratoconjunctivitis sicca were the most common concurrent ocular diseases (42% and 40%, respectively). The graft was most frequently harvested from dorsal (67%), and 9/0 absorbable suture material was used. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were seen in 7 and 21 cases, respectively. Mean follow‐up time was 107.8 days. Vision was preserved in 96% patients, with 62% showing faint to mild opacification. Among the statistically analyzed variables, euryblepharon and pigmentary keratitis were found to be significantly associated with greater corneal graft opacification ( P  = .040 and P  = .028, respectively). Conclusions Corneoconjunctival transposition is an effective surgical treatment for deep stromal, descemetocele, and full‐thickness corneal defects in dogs, achieving a highly satisfactory degree of corneal graft transparency and preserving vision.