Salvaging recurrent scleral buckle exposure with autologous periosteal patch graft.

PURPOSE: To describe a surgical technique for salvaging recurrent exposure of scleral buckle.

METHODS

A patient, treated for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with scleral buckle, presented with exposed uninfected buckle 3 weeks after the initial surgery. We tried to cover the exposure twice with conjunctivoplasty and once with scleral patch graft with amniotic membrane transplantation, but each one of them failed. After these failed attempts, we harvested autologous periosteal patch graft from the retroauricular area, which was sutured over the exposed buckle along with conjunctivoplasty.

RESULTS

Autologous periosteal patch graft was successful in our case and reepithelialization was completed within 4 weeks. A small granuloma was formed at the suture site at the fifth week, which resolved completely with topical steroids. The conjunctiva and periosteal patch have remained stable over a follow-up period of 1 year. The autologous periosteal patch graft permanently covered the defect with complete reepithelialization by 4 weeks after the surgical procedure.

CONCLUSION

Autologous periosteal patch graft can be offered as a viable alternative option to the patients with scleral buckle exposure.