What does the treatment involve?
Fibrin membrane is a platelet-rich plasma preparation, also known as PRF. It gives extra value to recovery from any eye surgery as it accelerates and improves the tissue cicatrisation process.
When is this treatment indicated?
We use fibrin membrane in eyelid, lacrimal and eye orbit surgery for different pathologies, reconstructions or purely aesthetic operations, such as a blepharoplasty.
How is it performed?
We produce it in the laboratory at the Centre using the patient's own blood. This ensures that we comply with all the protocols in place and that the membrane is produced in optimum conditions so that it is viable and the platelets do not break and detach from the growth factors. In this way, an hour and a half before operating, we already have the fibrin membrane prepared so that it is in the best conditions at the time of the operation.
When we are halfway through surgery, we take out the membrane and apply it before suturing, so that it stays inside, and after too, on top of the sutures. Once the operation is complete, the platelet growth factors will spread throughout the whole area for an extra supply that the blood would usually take much longer to generate. After four or five days, when all the components have played their part, the membrane will dissolve.
Results
First, we have managed to reduce the postoperative period like never before in our specialism: quicker cicatrisation and less haematoma, oedema and swelling. However, in addition, this preparation provides the patient with multiple benefits. It is an autologous and biocompatible procedure that the patient does not reject because it is produced using their own blood, so it can be performed on anyone of any age, even if they are undergoing medical treatment. It is a completely painless procedure, because the only thing we need from the patient is their blood, which we draw for the preoperative blood test anyway. In addition, the application of fibrin membrane does not extend the duration of the surgery.
Possible risks
This treatment is contraindicated in the case of eye pathologies related to a microbial infection (bacteria, virus, fungus...). In the event that the patient has an infectious disease they should inform the healthcare professional before their blood is drawn, so that suitable precautionary measures can be taken.