Acellular dermal graft as a treatment of recurrent conjunctival wound dehiscence.

A cellular dermal graft (ADG) functions as a scaffold to harness nature's regenerative healing process. Frequently used in eyelid and orbital surgery, application of ADG to the globe has not been reported, to our knowledge. In a patient with a complicated ocular history, wound dehiscence with Ahmed valve extrusion developed. Several attempts to repair the extrusion were made with commonly used biomaterials, resulting in recurrent wound dehiscence. An ADG was placed with glue and then sutured to the edge of the dehiscence. The conjunctiva grew over the graft, allowing the wound to close. The wound site has been intact for more than 3 years. We report the first successful use to date of ADG on the globe. In difficult cases of wound repair on the globe, ADG may be an alternative to conventional graft materials.