Amniotic membrane transplantation was performed in the Ophthalmology Clinic

For the first time, physicians of the Ophthalmology Clinic of the University Hospital Clinical Centre Banja Luka performed a new operative and therapeutic procedure – fresh amniotic membrane transplantation for diseases of anterior segment of the eye. So far, this method has been used for surgical treatment of four patients who are recovering well without occurrence of any post-operative complications. Introducing the surgical procedure of transplantation led to the significant improvement of quality of treatment of long-term and severe diseases of anterior eye segment and to reduction of treatment costs. There is no need for our patients to be referred to the Clinical Centre of Serbia any more in order for them to undergo amniotic membrane transplantation.

New surgical and therapeutic procedure can be used for numerous corneal diseases, such as severe bullous keratopathy occurred as a consequence of corneal dystrophy, for post-operative conditions, severe chemical injuries of the eye, corneal ulcer as well as for other infectious and non-infectious corneal inflammations. It is also used for sclera with consequential thinning of wall of the bulbus and threatening and spontaneous corneal perforation, for recurrent corneal erosion, limbal stem cell deficiency, for different diseases and scarring of the conjunctiva, trabeculectomy surgery, pterygium surgery, as well as for Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Amniotic membranes are taken from the donor – a woman who gave birth by Caesarean section. After that, the taken sample is submitted for serological and bacteriological examination, so that the tissue can be used for surgical and therapeutic procedure. During this therapeutic procedure the tissue is taken from the donor (a woman who gave birth). During delivery, the tissue is physiologically rejected as unnecessary one (placenta). Assistant Professor Vesna Ljubojevic, MD, PhD, ophthalmology specialist is directly involved in taking the samples and transplantation of amniotic membranes on the damaged tissue of the white of the eye and cornea. Use of this therapeutic procedure implies obtaining of a written consent of a tissue donor as well as appropriate medical examinations and procedures for which the approval of the Ethics Committee of the UH CC BL and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of the Republic of Srpska was provided.