ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the safety and incidence of subconjunctival fibrosis in rabbits eyes with and without intraoperative application of Seprafilm Bioresorbable Membrane (Genzyme Corp., Cambridge, MA) Methodology: A fornix based conjunctival peritomy was made on 20 eyes of10 rabbits. Ten eyes were randomly assigned to receive Seprafilm on the subconjunctival area while the opposite eye had no intraoperative application of the membrane. Two orbits (one rabbit) were exenterated each week for ten weeks and gross and histologic evaluation for signs of morbidity and scarring were performed Results: Seprafilm did not show any adverse effect on the rabbits eyes. All eyes with Seprafilm (100 percent) were a vascular while 5 eyes (50 percent) without Seprafilm showed the presence of conjunctival vascularity. Conjunctival mobility was normal in eyes with Seprafilm (100 percent) while the conjunctiva was immobile in 6 eyes (60 percent) without Seprafilm. Histologic sections on eyes without Seprafilm showed presence of fibrosis and inflammatory infiltrates in 7 eyes (70 percent) while only 2 (20 percent) and 3 eyes (30 percent) with Seprafilm showed the presence of fibrosis and inflammatory infiltrates, respectively. Failed "blebs" were evident in 6 eyes (60 percent) while only 4 eyes (40 percent) without Seprafilm were considered as functioning "blebs". All eyes with Seprafilm (100 percent) were considered as functioning "blebs" (p.005) and is statistically significant Conclusion: Pre-clinical evaluation has shown that Seprafilm is safe and effective in preventing postoperative subconjunctival fibrosis.