Repair of lamellar scleral lesions in dogs with preserved equine renal capsule: short report

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of equine renal capsule preserved in glycerin to repair lamellar scleral lesions in dogs. METHODS: Twelve healthy mongrel dogs, male and female, weighing 12 kg were used. The study was both clinical and morphological, and performed on the first, third, seventh, 15th 30th and 60th day after surgery. Temporal canthotomy was performed after standard preoperative and general anesthesia. Conjunctival and sclera square incisions of 0.5x0.5 cm were carried out in a one o' clock position, near the limbus. A fragment of hydrated biological prosthesis, of the saro shape, was sutured with 7-0 Vicryl® in an interrupted suture. RESULTS: The clinical evaluation showed blepharospasm/photophobia until the 7th day after surgery. Conjunctival edema appeared up to the 5th day after surgery. Mucoid ocular discharge was sustained until the 10th day after surgery. Hyperemia was observed until the end of the evaluation period. There were no signs of graft extrusion in all animals. The anterior and posterior segmente did not show clinical signs of inflammation. The optical microscopy mor phological evaluation showed an inflammatory exudation with acute aspects in the early and intermediate periods, and inflammatory exudation with chronic aspects in the late periods. There was incorporation of the implant by the recipient's sclera. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the equine renal preserved capsule could be a useful alternative tissue to repair lamellar corneal lesions in dogs and humans.