Amniotic membrane graft in a recurrent re-fusing temporal tarsorrhaphy: a case report

Amniotic membrane grafts (AMGs) are commonly used to treat a variety of ophthalmologic conditions. Complications exist with permanent tarsorrhaphies, including the risk of re-fusion following tarsorrhaphy separation. We report a novel application of amniotic graft in lieu of skin grafts to protect the exposed marginal surface during the initial re-epithelialization period following release of a permanent tarsorrhaphy. We present a 24-year-old man who sustained an 80% total body surface area burn from a motor vehicle accident 16 months prior to presentation at our Oculoplastic service for evaluation of residual lagophthalmos. His original permanent tarsorrhaphies were removed; however, re-fusion occurred temporally in both sides. During a second attempt, AMGs were secured over the eyelid margins, leading to a successful tarsorrhaphy takedown without re-fusion. Periocular burn injuries present particular challenges, as cicatricial changes continue to evolve and viable skin graft areas diminish with each successive graft. In the setting of recurrent auto-tarsorrhaphy, the AMG has shown to be a viable alternative to standard skin grafting. This case demonstrates excellent results in a skin graft sparing procedure that is effective and efficient. Amniotic membrane grafting reduces morbidity by foregoing skin graft donor sites and can achieve similar functional and cosmetic results to standard skin grafting with reduced overall surgical time. As such, AMGs have the potential to supplant standard skin grafting in cases of recurrent auto-tarsorrhaphy, particularly in the setting of diminished available healthy skin tissue.