Lyophilised amniotic membrane patches are a safe and effective treatment for rhegmatogenous lesions in combined tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a prospective interventional study.

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a lyophilised amniotic membrane (LAM) as a patch for the treatment of retinal breaks and to describe the structural changes at the implantation site.

Design: Prospective, interventional case series study. Patients with diabetic retinopathy and combined tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Methods: Patients were organised into 3 groups according to the number of rhegmatogenous lesions: those in group A had a single break, those in group B had two breaks, and those in group C had three or more breaks. The location of the break was also evaluated as either superior or inferior. Structural outcomes were assessed using SD-OCT during a 3-month follow-up period.

Results: Of a total of 23 eyes of 23 patients, 22 (95.6%) achieved retinal repair without associated complications. Patients with 2 or fewer rhegmatogenous lesions located in the superior sector had a better anatomical result as they achieved 100% surgical success. The structural changes observed by SD-OCT over the follow-up period showed adequate adaptation of the lyophilised patch and complete closure of the rhegmatogenous lesion with no alterations in the adjacent tissue.

Conclusions: The LAM patch seems to be safe and effective, as it promotes therapeutic closure of rhegmatogenous lesions without damaging the retinal architecture adjacent to the implantation site.