Anterior bulbus perforation and vitrectomy in the 'minipig'.

Wound healing after experimental anterior eye perforation, including lens, ciliary, body and vitreous, was studied in 12 miniature pigs (minipigs). In half of the eyes, perforation was followed by removal of the damaged lens and suturing of the wound. In the other half, a primary subtotal vitrectomy was performed after removal of the lens. The behaviour of the connective tissue in the wound-healing process was not fundamentally changed by subtotal vitrectomy. In both groups very little fibrous ingrowth into he vitreous structure was observed, suggesting that the pig vitreous has marked antifibroplastic properties. The anatomical and technical features of vitrectomy in the minipig, and the advantages and disadvantages of this animal model are discussed. It appears that the eye of the minipig is ideal for the study of biochemical factors preventing fibrous ingrowth into the vitreous.