Transplantation of salivary glands may help relieve symptoms of severe dry eye disease

A study was conducted to compare submandibular gland (SMG) transplantation with minor salivary glands (MSGs) transplantation for the treatment of different dry eye diseases (DED).

Seventy-three refractory dry eye diseases eyes were divided into three groups. Group A: 35 end-stage of dry eye disease eyes who underwent SMG transplantation. Group B: 20 end-stage DED eyes with MSGs transplantation. Group C: 18 non-end-stage of dry eye disease eyes with MSGs transplantation. Schirmer test (ST), tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining (FL), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were measured before and after surgery.

Results:

• The length of hospital stay, length of operation, and hospital fee were significantly higher in the group
• A than in group B or C. Eyes in group A showed the most severe dry eye disease with preoperative ST, TBUT, FL, and BCVA of 0.36 mm/5min, 0.03 s, 10.97, and 0.11, respectively, which improved significantly to 20.23 mm/5min, 1.74 s, 7.58, and 0.2 at > 2 years follow-up.
• Group B had similar baseline data and significant but limited improvement only in the ST (0.55 mm/5min to 3.79 mm/5min) and FL (11.10 to 9.58) after the operation.
• Group C had better baseline ST, TBUT, FL, and BCVA of 0.89 mm/5min, 3.49 s, 1.83, and 0.81, respectively, which improved significantly (except for BCVA) to 9.35 mm/5min, 9.08 s, 0.53, and 0.89 after MSGs transplantation.

Submandibular gland transplantation could be recommended to treat end-stage refractory of dry eye disease. MSGs transplantation may provide satisfying results for refractory dry eye disease with relatively less severe impairment of the eye.

Reference:

Submandibular gland transplantation vs. minor salivary glands transplantation for treatment of dry eye: A retrospective cohort study. Salivary glands transplantations for dry eye disease by Jia-Zeng Su et al. published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2022.05.019

Keywords:

Transplantation, salivary, glands, recommended, basis, severity, DED, American Journal of Ophthalmology, Submandibular gland, minor salivary glands, dry eye disease, Bang Zhang, Zhen Wang, Xiao-Jing Liu, Zhi-Gang Cai, Lei-Zhang, Xin-Peng, Jun Wu, Xin-Hua Liu, Lan Lv, Guang-Yan Yu