Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Porcine bladder grafts used to treat cornea damage in 17 horses
By Mancuso, Laura A et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2016·School of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Porcine urinary bladder extracellular matrix grafts (ACell Vet® Corneal Discs) for keratomalacia in 17 equids (2012-2013).
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A group of 17 equids, including 16 horses and one donkey, were treated for severe corneal damage known as keratomalacia. Most of these animals had infections in their eyes, which were confirmed through tests. They underwent surgery using a special graft made from porcine urinary bladder tissue. After treatment, 94% of the eyes were able to see again, although one eye had to be removed due to complications shortly after surgery. The grafts showed promise as an effective option for repairing corneal issues in horses and donkeys.
People also search for: horse eye infection treatment · donkey corneal graft surgery · keratomalacia in horses · equine eye problems · corneal repair options for horses
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical course, outcomes, and complications associated with use of commercially available porcine urinary bladder extracellular matrix (ECM) grafts (ACell Vet(®) Corneal Discs) in equid patients with keratomalacia, and to evaluate the efficacy of ECM grafts as a viable alternative to other biomaterials for corneal grafting in equid patients. ANIMALS: Sixteen horses and one donkey (17 eyes) with unilateral keratomalacia severe enough to warrant surgical repair between August 2012 and September 2013. PROCEDURE: Retrospective medical record review to identify equid patients meeting inclusion criteria of (i) diagnosis with keratomalacia severe enough to warrant surgical repair and (ii) surgical repair with an extracellular matrix graft. RESULTS: Eleven geldings, four mares, and two colts met inclusion criteria. Patients averaged 9 years of age. Twelve of 17 eyes (71%) were considered infected based on either corneal cytology (10/17, or 59%) or corneal culture (12/17, or 71%) positive for bacteria (8/17, or 47%) or fungi (9/17, or 53%). At the time topical medications were discontinued, 16 eyes (94%) were visual. One operated eye ruptured 5 days postoperatively and was enucleated. Keratouveitis developed in 14/14 eyes that underwent regular examinations approximately 2 weeks postoperatively which responded to systemic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Extracellular matrix grafts may be a viable alternative to other biomaterials for corneal grafting in equids. Advantages include commercial availability and shelf storage.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25429917/