[Limbic transplantation in the surgical rehabilitation of patients with prior severe ocular burns].

The paper provides the results of limbic transplantations in 21 patients with varying postburn leukomas. Autolimbic (n = 6; 28.6%) and limbic (n = 15; 71.4%) transplantation was performed 34.27 +/- 13 months after injury. Limbic transplantation with removal of the fibrovascular pannus resulted in improved visual acuity in all cases with the relatively transparent corneal stroma (Group 1; n = 10). In some cases, limbic transplantation could circumvent the problems associated with corneal graft epithelization after further corneal transplantations in Group 2 patients (n = 8) with turbid corneal stroma. In Group 3, surgery was made to prevent corneal changes occurring when the bulbar conjunctiva was removed during plastic repair of mucosal fornices from the lip. Postoperative recurrent corneal conjunctivization and epithelial erosion were observed only in 4 patients. The findings are of value in defining the site and indications for limbic transplantations in the surgical rehabilitation of patients who have experienced severe eye burns.