Conjunctival Expansion Using a Subtenon's Silicone Implant in New Zealand White Rabbits

Abstract

Purpose: In the field of ophthalmology, the conjunctival autograft is a useful therapeutic material in many cases, but the small size of the autograft is a disadvantage. Therefore, we evaluated the feasibility of taking an expanded sample of conjunctival tissue using a subtenon's silicone implant. Materials and Methods: We included a total of nine rabbits; eight rabbits were operative cases, and one was a control. A portion of conjunctival tissue from the control rabbit, which did not undergo surgery, was dissected and examined to determine whether it was histologically different from the experimental group. The surgical procedure was performed on eight rabbits via a subtenon's insertion of a silicone sponge in the left superior-temporal portion; after surgery, we dropped antibiotics into the eyes. We sacrificed a pair of rabbits every three days (on days 3, 6, 9, and 12) after surgery, remove