Preserved homologous peritoneum graft after lamellar keratectomy in dogs

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to study the use of glycerol preserved, homologous peritoneum on the repair of superficial lesions of the cornea. Seven dogs, males and females, weighing about 10 kg were used. A lamelar keratectomy - 0.4 x 0.5 mm and one third of cornea thickness - was performed at both sides and during the same anesthetic period. A piece of peritoneum was implanted by using a simple, interrupted pattern suture of 8-0 prolene. The animals were sacrificed and eyes were enucleated at 24 hours, 7, 15, 30 and 60 days after surgery. Clinical and histological exams were conducted. Blefarospasm, quemosis and corneal opacity were clinical signs observed at short-term periods. These signs disappeared at day 32, when deopacification of the implant was seen. No inflammation signs were observed at this time. The epithelium had grown over the implant at day seven, and initial resorption of the peritoneum was occurring. No inflammatory infriltrate was seen at day seventeen. Pigment deposition was seen on later evaluations. There were no rejection signs. The results allowed us to admit adopting the homologous preserved peritoneum as another option for keratoplasty in dogs.