Lamellar keratoplasty using decellularised porcine cornea as an acellular scaffold graft for surgical management of deep corneal ulcer in a dog

Abstract

Corneal ulcers are one of the most common eye affection in domestic animals, especially dogs. In preclinical studies, porcine corneas were used regularly as an animal model due to its relative similarity to human cornea and its availability in great numbers from slaughter houses. In the present study, decellularised porcine cornea was used for corneal grafting as an acellular scaffold graft material in a case presented with deep corneal ulcer. The efficiency of the graft material was analysed on the day of presentation, days 7, 14, 21 and 60 post grafting, based on corneal clarity, oedema, neovascularisation, pigmentation, visual function and scar tissue formation. Decellularised porcine corneas were found to be very convenient to handle during surgery, provided good tectonic support, had good tissue biocompatibility and produced only mild to moderate graft opacity.