Novel technique for amniotic membrane fixation in ocular surface disease

This article demonstrates a novel technique using modified continuous blanket suture (MCBS) to affix the amniotic membrane in severe ocular surface disease lesions. The technique was used successfully in five patients.

In all cases, stable adherence of the amniotic membrane was maintained until the epithelialization of the ocular surface was completed. No early detachment, dissolution or dislocation of the amniotic membrane patch was observed. During follow-up, all patients acquired a smooth and acceptable ocular surface without any persistent epithelial defect, infection or ulceration.

The authors write that because the sutures are placed into the conjunctiva, trace scarring can be avoided and surgery-induced astigmatism can be minimized. The MCBS method also leads to rapid reconstruction of the ocular surface and provides a surface conducive to further procedures, such as autolimbal and allolimbal transplantation and keratoplasty. Furthermore, it can prolong the residual time of the amniotic membrane above the eye and can improve the melting and absorption times of the membrane without using a bandage contact lens. Consequently, all membranes remain intact until the ocular surface completely re-epithelializes. Finally, the MCBS technique allows a deeper fornix to be obtained during fornix reconstruction.

They conclude that this simple suture method allows the convenient manipulation of the amniotic membrane patch, which could promote the clinical use of amniotic membrane transplantation and prepare the eye for subsequent corneal transplantation. However, more comparisons with traditional amniotic membrane transplantation suturing techniques and longer follow-ups would provide better insights.