Evaluation of amniotic membrane grafting in the reconstruction of contracted socket.

Purpose: To study the use of amniotic membrane for the reconstruction of mild to moderate grades of contracted socket and compare it to mucous membrane grafting.

Methods: A total of 20 patients with acquired, anophthalmic contracted socket of mild to moderate grades were studied and divided into two groups: the amniotic membrane graft (AMG) group (10 patients) and the mucous membrane graft (MMG) group (10 patients). The preoperative and postoperative measurements of forniceal depth and volume of socket were compared. After surgery, motility of the prosthesis was also compared.

Results: The mean preoperative depth of the lower fornix in the AMG group and the MMG group was 1.5 mm and 1.4 mm, and after surgery, at final follow-up was 5.4 mm and 5.5 mm, respectively. The preoperative mean height of the upper fornix in the AMG group and the MMG group was 10.3 mm and 10.7 mm, and after surgery, at final follow-up was 12.6 mm and 13.2 mm, respectively. The mean preoperative volume of the socket was 0.84 ml in the AMG group and 0.80 ml in the MMG group, and after surgery, at final follow-up was 1.43 ml and 1.48 ml, respectively. The various quantitative parameters including motility of the prosthesis were comparable in the two groups.

Conclusions: Amniotic membrane grafting gave cosmetically and functionally acceptable results in cases of mild to moderate grades of anophthalmic socket contraction. The results were comparable to those of mucous membrane grafting.