Early safety and biological compatibility of a bovine pericardium patch for posterior scleral reinforcement

Objective To investigate the early safety and biological compatibility of a bovine pericardium patch for posterior scleral reinforcement (PSR). Methods This was a retrospective case series study. Three hundred seventy-seven consecutive cases (670 eyes) of patients with progressive axial myopia who received PSRs at Shanghai Peace Eye Hospital from January 2006 to October 2014 were divided into two groups based on the type of reinforcement: a bovine pericardium patch was used in 330 eyes (182 cases) and dura mater was used in 340 eyes (195 cases). The follow-up time was more than 6 months. All patients underwent routine eye examinations and retro-ocular examination was performed on some patients using high frequency B-scan. Data were analyzed with chi-square tests. Results The constituent ratios of improvement, unchanged BCVA or a decline in BCVA 6 months postoperatively were 31.8% and 35.0%, 63.3% and 60.3%, and 4.8% and 4.7%, respectively, for both groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups (χ2=0.765, P>0.05). The incidence of chemosis was 68.2% and 75.9%, respectively, for the two groups (χ2= 4.935,P 0.05). Local calcification was observed in three of 28 eyes in the test group, but not in 19 eyes of the control group (Fisher's exact test, P> 0.05). Conclusion Bovine pericardium patch is safe and biologically compatible for PSR. Key words: Myopia, degenerative; Pericardium, bovine; Dura mater; Posterior scleral reinforcement