title: An adjustable double running suture technique for keratoplasty.
abstract: In a retrospective analysis, we examined 30 consecutive cases of penetrating keratoplasty in which a double running 10-0/11-0 nylon suture technique was used and the 10-0 suture was adjusted early in the postoperative period to reduce astigmatism. When the response to suture adjustment was inadequate, the presence of the 11-0 suture allowed for early (ten to 18 weeks) removal of the 10-0 suture. Rapid visual recovery (12.3 +/- 0.95 weeks; mean +/- standard error) and low levels of final astigmatism (2.66 +/- 0.24 diopters) were achieved. Visual acuity was 20/20 to 20/40 in 25 of the 28 patients (89%) who were visually rehabilitated. In these 28 patients, visual acuity remained stable for the remainder of the study. All patients had a minimum of six months' follow-up from the time of surgery; mean follow-up was 10.6 +/- 1.70 months.
authors.affiliation: LSU Eye Center, Louisiana State University Medical Center School of Medicine, New Orleans.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Clinch
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Kaufman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003261:Contact Lenses; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009757:Nylons; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D009757:Nylons