Lateral tarsorrhaphy: is it preferable to patching?

Cornea. 1999 May;18(3):299-301. doi: 10.1097/00003226-199905000-00010.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of lateral tarsorrhaphy for the management of postkeratoplasty epithelial defects.

Method: Thirty-six patients with persistent postkeratoplasty epithelial defects that did not heal despite topical medical therapy for a period of 96 hours were treated with either a lateral tarsorrhaphy (18 patients) or with tight patching (18 patients). All patients were evaluated daily by slit-lamp examination until complete reepithelialization occurred.

Results: The epithelial healing was significantly faster (7.61+/-0.91 days vs. 12.6+/-1.61 days, p<0.5) in the lateral tarsorrhaphy group. Further, the patients with lateral tarsorrhaphies were significantly more comfortable when compared with those of the patching group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Lateral tarsorrhaphy provides quick symptomatic relief and faster corneal epithelial defect healing. Therefore, it may be of benefit in cases of postkeratoplasty persistent epithelial defects.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bandages*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Corneal Diseases / etiology
  • Corneal Diseases / pathology
  • Corneal Diseases / therapy*
  • Epithelium, Corneal / pathology*
  • Eyelids / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Keratoplasty, Penetrating / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Tissue Donors
  • Wound Healing*