Corneal grafting of donor tissue preserved for longer than 4 weeks in organ-culture medium.
In vitro viability of the endothelium of corneas stored in organ-culture medium is longer than in other storage techniques. This article reports on the clinical results of 20 penetrating keratoplasties performed using corneas stored for > 4 weeks in organ culture. Seventeen of the procedures were elective and three were emergencies. Mean preservation time was 35.6 +/- 7 days (mean +/- SD) and mean follow-up was 16.2 months. During preservation, an endothelial cell loss of 10% was noted. Seventeen grafts remained transparent, and three failed between 3 and 24 months postoperatively. Mean endothelial cell density was 2,153 +/- 372/mm2 at 4 months and 1,854 +/- 390/mm2 at 12 months. Central pachymetry was 548 +/- 53 microns at 4 months and 528 +/- 57 microns at 12 months after surgery. Corneas stored for up to 48 days in organ culture can be used in elective as well as in emergency procedures.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bern, Inselspital, Switzerland.
B E
BE
Frueh
M
M
Böhnke
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002452:Cell Count; D003470:Culture Media; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D009926:Organ Preservation; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors
D003470:Culture Media