Long-term treatment outcomes and risk factors for recurrence in feline corneal sequestrum: 72 cases (2009-2017).

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate long-term treatment outcomes in feline corneal sequestrum (FCS), compare the recurrence rates between different surgical techniques, identify possible recurrence risk factors and monitor the development of FCS in the contralateral eye. METHODS: The medical records of 72 cats (79 eyes) with FCS treated between 2009 and 2017 were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: The most commonly affected breeds were Persian, domestic shorthaired and Burmesecats. The mean age was 6.9 years. Sixty-five cats (90%) were affected unilaterally. Sixty-six eyes (83%) underwent surgery: keratectomy in 34 eyes (52%) and keratectomy followed by a graft procedure in 32 eyes (48%). Recurrence occurred in 13 out of 66 eyes (19%) at a median of 245 days after surgery. Skull conformation, location of the FCS, type of surgical procedure and concurrent ocular surgery did not significantly affect the recurrence rate. Eighteen cats (27%) developed FCS in the contralateral eye at a median of 635 days after surgery. LIMITATIONS: Limitations are related to the retrospective nature of the study, the use of telephone follow-up for assessment of recurrence in some cats and the small number of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical excision had a successful outcome in most cases. The type of surgical procedure and skull conformation did not affect the recurrence rate. One-quarter of the cats developed FCS in the contralateral eye.

Evaluation of partial tarsal plate excision using a transconjunctival approach for the treatment of distichiasis in dogs.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcome, possible complications, and recurrence rate of distichiasis in dogs treated with partial tarsal plate excision (PTPE) technique using a transconjunctival approach. METHODS: Retrospective study including 17 client-owned canine patients affected with distichiasis and presenting with associated clinical signs (ie, blepharospasm, epiphora, chronic keratoconjunctivitis, or corneal ulceration) that underwent surgical removal of the aberrant lashes using a PTPE technique between January 2018 and February 2019. Data collected included breed, age, sex, affected eyelid(s), number of distichia, and tear film breakup time (TBUT). Resected cilia-bearing tarsoconjunctival strips were submitted for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Thirty eyes (52 eyelids) from 17 dogs were included in the study. The median age was 688 days (range 118-4243 days). A successful outcome, defined as complete resolution of clinical signs attributable to the distichia, occurred in all eyes after a single procedure, with a mean follow-up time of 239 days (range 69-480 days). Appearance of new distichia occurred in 14/30 eyes (46.3%), and of these, three eyes needed a new PTPE procedure. Recurrence of the distichia only occurred in one eye (3.3%) which was asymptomatic. Following surgery, TBUT decreased below the normal value in 7/24 eyes (29.1%) although none developed clinical signs of qualitative tear film deficiency. Post-operative complications included trichiasis and cicatricial entropion, which developed in two eyes (6.6%), and these were successfully managed with corrective eyelid surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Partial tarsal plate excision, using a transconjunctival approach, had an excellent clinical outcome with a low incidence of complications.