Postkeratoplasty astigmatism with single running suture or interrupted sutures.
In a prospective randomized clinical trial we compared astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty with two different suture techniques between two groups of patients (38 patients). The first group (18 patients) had a 24-bite single running 10-0 nylon suture (single running suture) with postoperative suture adjustment to decrease astigmatism. The second group (20 patients) had a combination of a 16-bite running 10-0 nylon suture and eight interrupted 10-0 nylon sutures (combined running and interrupted sutures) with selective postoperative removal of interrupted sutures to decrease astigmatism. The single running suture resulted in a lower postoperative astigmatism than a combined running and interrupted suture technique (single running suture, 2.7 +/- 2.2 diopters; combined running and interrupted sutures, 3.9 +/- 2.5 diopters; P < .02). Average length of follow-up was similar in both groups (single running suture, 9.0 +/- 2.2 months and combined running and interrupted sutures, 8.4 +/- 2.2 months). Minimal length of follow-up was six months in both groups. No running sutures were broken. The adjustable single running suture technique provided greater control of astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty than a technique using a combination of a 16-bite running suture and eight interrupted sutures.
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
V
V
Filatov
R F
RF
Steinert
J H
JH
Talamo
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009757:Nylons; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures
D009757:Nylons