Mucous membrane grafting (fibrin glue vs. suture) for lid margin pathologies in Stevens-Johnson syndrome: randomized comparative study.

Objective: To compare fibrin glue (with three cardinal sutures) (FG) and polygalactin suture (PS) for mucous membrane grafting (MMG) in terms of graft apposition and recurrence of lid margin keratinization (LMK) and metaplastic lashes (ML) in patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).

Design: Prospective randomized comparative interventional study.

Methods: Twenty patients diagnosed with SJS and lid margin abnormalities including LMK with or without ML were randomized to undergo either fibrin glue (FG)-assisted MMG (n = 10) or continuous 8-0 polygalactin suture (PS)-assisted MMG (n = 10). They were evaluated preoperatively and during follow-up at 1 week and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months. The parameters assessed were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer-1 test, corneal and conjunctival complications, graft apposition and width (GW), LMK, ML, impression cytology, and operative time. The primary outcome measures are incidence of graft displacement and recurrence of LMK and ML.

Results: None of the eyelids in FG group (0/40) and 1 eyelid in PS group (1/40) had graft displacement. Recurrence of LMK occurred in 7.5% of eyelids (3/40) in both the study groups. Recurrence of ML occurred in 2.5% (1/40) in FG group and 5% (2/40) in PS group. The mean operative time for MMG in FG group was 39.5 ± 2.40 min and in PS group was 56 ± 1.63 min (p = 0.001).

Conclusions: As graft apposition with suture involves significantly longer intraoperative time, if cost is not a limiting factor then fibrin glue is a viable option for the MMG for lid margin pathologies.