Results of transplantation of corneas preserved in 2.5% chondroitin sulfate.
Thirty-seven corneas were transplanted after preservation in 2.5% chondroitin sulfate at 4 degrees C for 1-13 days (mean = 6.8 days) and compared with 37 corneas transplanted after preservation in M-K medium at 4 degrees C for 1-81 h (mean = 39 h). Two months after keratoplasty the mean endothelial cell loss was 6% in each group. The grafts preserved in K-Sol were significantly thinner 2 months postoperatively. There was a significant positive correlation between preservation time and endothelial cell loss in both groups, with the highest cell losses (greater than or equal to 30%) all occurring after 2 days storage in the M-K group and after 10 days storage in the K-Sol group. These results show that donor corneas should be used as early as feasible and that chondroitin-sulfate-based preservation media can be effectively used to extend donor storage time.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count; D002807:Chondroitin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D004727:Endothelium / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012996:Solutions; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods*
D012996:Solutions; D002807:Chondroitin; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates