Efficacy Of Conjunctival Flap Surgery In Treating Refractory Corneal Ulcers In Patients Attending Al-Walidain Eye Hospital In 2018-2019

In many countries, such as Sudan, the lack of corneal donation despite the high demand made corneal transplantation of limited use for treating patients with resistant corneal ulceration. ​​Conjunctival flap cover surgery could be considered as an efficient alternative.​

Main perpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of conjunctival flap in treatment of refractory corneal ulcer and  to determine indications , complications and outcome of conjunctival flap surgery. 

This study done in Al-walidain Eye Hospital which is specialised eye hospital , it is one of the largest eye hospitals in Sudan located in Khartoum state.Providing emergency and outpatients services for patients from all over the capital.

A prospective, hospital-based study .Data was collected by the researcher through direct assessment of the patient’s condition.Verbal consent was obtained from each subject who agreed to be part of the study. All procedures were done when written informed consent was obtained after explanation of the possible consequences of the treatment methods. 

25 patients were included in the study.Our results showed that, the main indication  for 80% of our patients was tectonic to preserve the eye, the second indication was analgesic in 48% and the third indication was therapeutic in 20%. Conjunctival flap covering cured 4 corneal ulcers in the 5 cases with non-healing ulcer including fungal keratitis cases (16%). The eye was preserved in 48% (12 patients) with perforation, impending perforation and descmatocele .On the other hand conjunctival flap surgery failed in 36% (9 patients).

• We present our experiences of indications and complications of conjunctival flap cover surgery.​
• We believe that this underused technique represents an interesting alternative especially in emergency setting where no immediate facilities for corneal transplantation.​