Patch graft surgery in patients with spontenous cornealperforation

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of patch graft surgery in patients with spontenous corneal perforation. Materials and Methods: Fourty eyes of 40 patients aged 14 to 88 years who were diagnosed with spontaneous corneal perforation were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative, postoperative 1st day, 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month and 12th month examination findings of the patients were noted. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure, seidel test, graft diameter, need for additional surgery, infection, and presence of phthisis bulbi were noted. Results: The mean age of the fourty patients participating in the study was 67,03±15,99 (14-88) years. Twenty (50%) of the patients were male and 20 (50%) were female. Patch graft was performed on the right eye of 22 patients (55%), and the left eye of 18 patients (45%). The mean visual acuity was increased to 1,87±0,23 LogMAR from 1,97±0,17 LogMAR in 12th month (p=0,002). During the 12-month follow-up period, phthisis bulbi was developed in 3 patients (7,5%), and evisceration was performed in 2 patients (5%). Bacterial keratitis was seen in 3 patients (7,5%), endophthalmitis in 2 patients (5%), and herpes keratitis recurrence in 6 patients (15%). Patch graft revision was performed once in 5 patients (12,5%) and twice in 2 patients (5%). Conclusion: Patch graft surgery was found to be effective in preserving tectonic integrity of the eye in spontaneous corneal perforations. The increment in visual acuity was statistically significant. Key Words: Patch graft, globe integrity, spontaneous corneal perforation, cornea