[Conjunctival flaps in corneal perforations].

PURPOSE: To evaluate conjunctival flaps as an emergency surgical treatment of corneal perforations.

METHODS

We revised a sequence of 15 patients who are yielded to total conjunctival flap and 3 patients yielded to partial conjunctival flap. They were made between 1980-1998.

RESULTS

Diagnostic to surgery included chronic ulcerative keratitis (2), bullous keratopathy (2), central ulcers (6), chemical burned (2), failed graft (3) and others (3). Seven flaps finished off keratoplasty, tree flaps retractions occurred and one eye needed evisceration. The rest of the pathology were controlled with the conjunctival flap.

CONCLUSIONS

Conjunctival flaps are underused and should show consideration for determining corneal pathology where medical treatment is not being effective.