Lyophilised amniotic membrane patches are a safe and effective treatment for rhegmatogenous lesions in combined tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a prospective interventional study.

OBJECTIVES

This study was performed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a lyophilised amniotic membrane (LAM) as a patch for the treatment of retinal breaks and to describe the structural changes at the implantation site.

DESIGN

Prospective, interventional case series study. Patients with diabetic retinopathy and combined tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

METHODS

Patients were organised into 3 groups according to the number of rhegmatogenous lesions: those in group A had a single break, those in group B had two breaks, and those in group C had three or more breaks. The location of the break was also evaluated as either superior or inferior. Structural outcomes were assessed using SD-OCT during a 3-month follow-up period.

RESULTS

Of a total of 23 eyes of 23 patients, 22 (95.6%) achieved retinal repair without associated complications. Patients with 2 or fewer rhegmatogenous lesions located in the superior sector had a better anatomical result as they achieved 100% surgical success. The structural changes observed by SD-OCT over the follow-up period showed adequate adaptation of the lyophilised patch and complete closure of the rhegmatogenous lesion with no alterations in the adjacent tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

The LAM patch seems to be safe and effective, as it promotes therapeutic closure of rhegmatogenous lesions without damaging the retinal architecture adjacent to the implantation site.