Introduction

Recurrence after surgical replacement of the third eyelid gland occurs in 5–10% of cases. Reoperation is not always possible, and in reoperated cases success is not evident.

Objective

Evaluate clinical effects of autotransplantation of part of the third eyelid lacrimal gland to the conjunctival fornix as an alternative for ocular aqueous lubrication in situations of recurrence after surgical pocket technique replacement.

Methods

Eight dogs were selected. Schirmer's tear test (STT) was performed to estimate the quantity of tears. Patients were submitted to a complete ophthalmic exam preoperatively and postoperatively for three months. STT was done for postoperative evaluation. Surgical procedure consisted of: excise the recurred prolapsed gland, graft removal from halfway of the gland in an elliptical shape 10 mm wide with a 11 blade, construction of the conjunctival superior temporal fornix bed and suturing in an isolated pattern with 6-0 polyglactin.

Results

Conjunctival hyperemia disappears in 98% of cases and corneal neovascularization and blepharospasm in all cases (100%); corneal luster was restored after surgery in 98.55% of cases; in all animals, an increase (plus 56.25%) in STT was observed (pretest ± SD 6.125 ± 3.14 to 14.0 ± 3.85); all data were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

All patients in this study showed improvement, and the technique is easy to perform and seems to be an alternative approach in cases of recurrence after surgical replacement.

The authors thank Dr. Akihito Saito for suggesting this study.