Tenon’s patch grafting: An inexpensive technique for managing corneal perforation and descemetocele - Our experience of 12 months post-operative follow-up

To assess the results of tenon’s patch grafting (TPG) in corneal perforation and descemetocele ranging from 2 to 5.5 mm with a minimum 12 months follow-up. This study was a prospective interventional study in which 35 eyes with corneal perforation (25, 71.4%) and descemetocele (10, 28.5%) of different sizes (2-5.5mm) were surgically treated with tenon's patch grafting (TPG) by a single surgeon at a tertiary centre. Preoperative, operative, and post-operative data were recorded. The eyes were evaluated over a minimum postoperative period of 12 months. The outcome of TPG was assessed based on the achievement and maintenance of the anatomical integrity of the eye. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS. The mean size of the corneal lesions for corneal perforation was (3.1±1.04 mm) and for descemetocele was (2.45±0.42 mm). The most common underlying ocular pathology was infectious keratitis in 23(65.7%) patients. The most common systemic comorbidity was diabetes mellitus in 10 (28.5%) patients. At 12 months postoperative follow-up, the integrity of the globe was maintained in 69% eyes. In the entire post-op follow-up eight Keratoplasty procedures, seven cataract surgeries, two repeat TPG procedures and one evisceration were done as additional surgeries. Tenon’s Patch grafting is a simple, inexpensive and an effective surgical modality for achieving globe integrity with minimal post-operative care in corneal perforation/descemetocele of 2-5mm.