COMBINED AUTOLOGOUS TRANSPLANTATION OF NEUROSENSORY RETINA, RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM, AND CHOROID FREE GRAFTS
Barbara Parolini, Dilraj S Grewal, Sajish J Pinackatt, Andrea Baldi, Attilio Di Salvatore, Gianluca Besozzi, Alessandro Finzi, Daniele Cardillo, Tamer H Mahmoud, Barbara Parolini, Dilraj S Grewal, Sajish J Pinackatt, Andrea Baldi, Attilio Di Salvatore, Gianluca Besozzi, Alessandro Finzi, Daniele Cardillo, Tamer H Mahmoud
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and initial functional and anatomical outcomes of transplanting a full-thickness free graft of choroid and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), along with neurosensory retina in advanced fibrosis and atrophy associated with end-stage exudative age-related macular degeneration with and without a concurrent refractory macular hole.
Methods: During vitrectomy, an RPE-choroidal and neurosensory retinal free graft was harvested in nine eyes of nine patients. The RPE-choroidal and neurosensory retinal free graft was either placed subretinally (n = 5), intraretinally to cover the foveal area inside an iatrogenically induced macular hole over the RPE-choroidal graft (n = 3) or preretinally (n = 1) without a retinotomy wherein both free grafts were placed over the concurrent macular hole. Silicone oil endotamponade was used in all cases.
Results: Mean follow-up was 7 ± 5.5 months (range 3-19). The mean preoperative visual acuity was ∼count fingers (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution = 2.11, range 2-3), which improved to ∼20/800 (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 1.62 ± 0.48, range 0.7-2, P = 0.04). Vision was stable in 5 eyes (55.6%) and improved in 4 eyes (44.4%). Reading ability improved in 5 eyes (55.6%). Postoperative complications were graft atrophy (n = 1), epiretinal membrane (n = 1), and dislocation of neurosensory retina-choroid-RPE free graft (n = 1).
Conclusion: Combined autologous RPE-choroid and neurosensory retinal free graft is a potential surgical alternative in eyes with end-stage exudative age-related macular degeneration, including concurrent refractory macular hole.
Conflict of interest statement
Conflict of Interest Disclosures: All authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Dr. Tamer Mahmoud reports participation in an advisory board for Dutch Ophthalmic (Exeter, NH), Alimera, and Spark Therapeutics. Research support as investigator for Genentech. Dr Grewal reports participation in an advisory board for Allergan and Regeneron. No other disclosures were reported.
Figures
Source: PubMed