Long-term follow up of oral mucosa autograft sutured to the sclera in severe symblepharon

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and complications of oral mucosa autograft (OMAU) sutured to the sclera to treat symblepharon after severe chemical or fireworks burn. METHODS: Our surgical technique for OMAU sutured to the sclera is presented along with clinical data and outcomes of 7 symblepharon carriers. Our surgical technique was performed unilateral in all cases. An OMAU with a mean length of 3 cm and 2 cm wide was sutured to the bare sclera 1–3 mm behind the limbus. Amniotic membrane transplant was placed covering the rectus muscles and bare sclera proximal to the limbus. The fornix was secured into the skin with deepening bolster sutures. A temporary tarsorrhaphy was performed, and a symblepharon ring was placed on top of a bandage contact lens. RESULTS: There were no cases of intraoperative complications. Three years postoperatively, all patients had perfect integration of the OMAU and there were no cases of symblepharon's recurrence. Two patients developed mild superior entropion and 2 patients developed mild strabismus (one esotropia and another exotropia). CONCLUSION AND IMPORTANCE: OMAU sutured to the sclera after symblepharon release caused by severe ocular burns, results in excellent cosmetic and anatomical outcomes with no recurrence.