Possible Cause of Loss of Conjunctival Autografts When Using Nonsuturing Technique

Friday, April 17, 2015
KIOSKS (San Diego Convention Center)
Stan Feil, MD

Purpose
To report a proposed mechanism of conjunctival autograft with Tisseel (CAGT) failure.

Methods
A retrospective chart review of patients who had pterygiectomy with CAGT was performed.

Results
3 cases of CAGT  loss occurred during a period of 2 months.  Prior to this, ___ CAGT surgeries (same surgeon, same technique) had been performed without loss of the graft.  The only change identified was switching from Tobradex to Polydex at the end of surgery.  Neomycin, a component of polydex, is an inhibitor of angiogenin-induced angiogenesis.

Conclusion
Neomycin likely inhibits angiogenesis which is critical to long term graft adherence and incorporation of the vascularized tissue in it’s new location.