A limbal melanoma was surgically removed from a 12-year-old castrated male black domestic shorthair (DSH) cat.
The resulting full-thickness eye wall defect was repaired using the autologous third eyelid cartilage.
The patient was followed for 85 days postoperatively, during which time there was no recurrence.
Other than a small amount of fibrin and blood at the anterior lens capsule, no significant complications were seen.
Use of the third eyelid cartilage as graft material following resection of a feline limbal melanoma can be effective for repairing large eye wall defects and preserving ocular function.
The third eyelid proved to be a convenient source of graft material.
In addition, autologous grafting can reduce the potential for iatrogenic spread of infectious agents such as feline herpes virus.
Source: Kanai, Kazutaka, Kanemaki, Nobuyuki, Matsuo, Shirou, Ichikawa, Youichiro, Okujima, Hisataka & Wada, Yoshinori (2006): Excision of a feline limbal melanoma and use of nictitans cartilage to repair the resulting corneoscleral defect. In: Veterinary Ophthalmology 9 (4), 255-258.
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