Rescue of exposed scleral buckles with cadaveric pericardial patch grafts.

Abstract

To describe a new method for salvaging externally exposed silicone scleral exoplants (buckles) to avoid removal and the consequent risk of retinal redetachment. A retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. Four patients with exposed, clinically uninfected scleral buckles after initial surgery for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Processed human donor pericardium patch grafts (Tutoplast; Innovative Ophthalmic Products, INC:, Costa Mesa, CA) were used to cover exposed areas of scleral buckles in concert with conjunctivoplasty. Scleral buckle preservation was the goal of this new treatment strategy. In four eyes treated with pericardial patch grafts to cover segments of exposed scleral buckles, three (75%) were managed successfully with one surgery. One eye (25%) had this treatment method fail and required scleral buckle removal. Processed human donor pericardium patch grafting is one useful way to avoid removing exposed scleral buckles, and consequently, sparing patients the risk of recurrent retinal detachment.