Conjunctival flap surgery in the management of ocular surface disease (Review)

Zemba,Mihail; Stamate,Alina-Cristina; Tataru,Calin   Petru; Branisteanu,Daniel   Constantin; Balta,Florian

doi:10.3892/etm.2020.8964

Conjunctival flap surgery in the management of ocular surface disease (Review)

Authors:
- Mihail Zemba
- Alina-Cristina Stamate
- Calin Petru Tataru
- Daniel Constantin Branisteanu
- Florian Balta
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Affiliations: Department of Ophthalmology, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest 050474, Romania, Department of Ophthalmology, ‘Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi 700115, Romania
Published online on: July 1, 2020 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2020.8964
Pages: 3412-3416
Copyright: © Zemba et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Literature regarding conjunctival flap surgery was reviewed to describe and discuss the rationale for this type of procedure. The conjunctival flap is an acknowledged surgery for the treatment of various corneal diseases with a chronically compromised ocular surface, such as severe dry eye, neurotrophic or neuroparalytic disease, or bullous keratopathy. The purpose of this surgery is to restore the integrity of the corneal surface and thus to prevent gradual corneal ulceration and secondary infection, as well as to ameliorate pain, reduce the need for frequent medications, improve cosmetic appearance, and offer an alternative to invasive surgery or enucleation. Since the introduction of more effective methods of treating severe ocular surface diseases, conjunctival flap surgery has rarely been the primary modality of treatment and has usually followed a range of medical and surgical treatments. The availability of improved ocular lubricants, more effective antimicrobials, bandage contact lenses, tissue adhesives, and other corneal and conjunctival surgical interventions, has reduced the need for conjunctival flaps. However, conjunctival flaps remain extremely useful in selected cases and deserve a place in the ophthalmologist's repertoire for the management of ocular surface disease.

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