Glycerin-preserved full-thickness scleral grafting for treatment of scleral melanocytoma in a dog

Abstract

An 11-year-old, female neutered, miniature dachshund presented with a soft, slow-growing, black tumor mass measuring of 10 × 8 mm since 3 months before, on the sclera of the left eye, and full-thickness sclera was excised together with the tumor mass. Subsequently, glycerin-preserved full-thickness homogeneous sclera was implanted into the scleral defect. Critical complications and graft rejection were not observed except for a partial conjunctival suture dehiscence at the surgical site. There was no recurrence of the tumor at 1 year and 7 months after surgery, and vision was maintained. Histopathological diagnosis of the excised tumor mass revealed limbal melanocytoma. Even in an aged dog, it was possible to excise a limbal melanocytoma without affecting vision, by using glycerin-preserved full-thickness homogeneous scleral grafting.