[Transplantation of autologous oral mucosa in the treatment of a symblepharon in Wegener's disease--a case report].

Background: Wegener's disease, an immune vasculitis, is characterized by granulomata and vasculitis of small and large vessels. Ocular manifestations are observed in approximately half of all cases.

Patient: We report on a 58-year-old male with severe generalized Wegener's disease which was first diagnosed in 1986. The involvement of the central nervous system became clinically manifest by a stroke, of the kidneys by incipient renal insufficiency, and of the larynx by recurrent subglottic stenosis of the trachea. The first ocular involvement, a conjunctivitis, was observed in 1988. Despite systemic immuno-suppressive therapy, local conservative therapy and repeated surgical procedures, his vision decreased bilaterally from 60/60 to hand movement (OD) and light perception only (OS) during the following years because of a massive bilateral symblepharon. Transplantation of autologous oral mucosa to the conjunctiva led to a persistent increase of vision and a good cosmetic result.

Conclusions: We conclude that in patients with Wegener's disease, who have developed a symblepharon despite intensive therapy, the transplantation of oral mucosa can produce a sufficient functional and cosmetic result.