Ocular surface reconstruction using the combination of autologous cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation and eyelid surgery for severe ocular surface disease.

PURPOSE: To assess the surgical combination of autologous cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation and eyelid surgery used to treat patients with severe ocular surface disease and entropion.

DESIGN: Observational case series.

METHODS: Three patients with severe thermal and chemical injury were treated by the surgical combination of autologous cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation and everting sutures to correct entropion. Their clinical outcomes and the efficacy of this surgical procedure were assessed.

RESULTS: The ocular surfaces were successfully reconstructed with autologous cultivated oral mucosal epithelial sheets and everting sutures without any complications during the operations. In the course of a mean follow-up period of 30 months their clinical outcomes were assessed. Postoperative follow-up showed that the simultaneous everting sutures caused no problems with the cultivated oral mucosal epithelial sheet, and there were no severe complications such as infection or inflammation. During the follow-up period, in 2 of the 3 eyes the ocular surface and eyelid remained stable with no recurrence of entropion.

CONCLUSION: This case series presents a surgical approach to treat severely scarred ocular surfaces using the combination of autologous cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation and everting sutures. Clinical outcomes suggest that this combined surgical procedure is a safe and useful method for the treatment of patients with severe ocular surface disease and entropion.