Keratometric results of penetrating keratoplasty with the Hessburg-Barron and Hanna trephine systems using a standard double-running suture technique.
OBJECTIVE
To compare final, sutures-out, keratometric results of penetrating keratoplasty using two different suction trephine systems and a standard double-running suture technique.


METHODS
Keratometric data after final suture removal were compared retrospectively for three groups of transplants: Group 1, 7.50-mm Hessburg-Barron recipient trephine and 7.70-mm modified Lieberman donor punch (n = 70); Group 2, 7.50-mm Hessburg-Barron recipient trephine and 8.00-mm modified Lieberman donor punch (n = 18); Group 3, 7.50-mm Hanna recipient trephine and 7.75-mm Hanna donor punch (n = 68).


RESULTS
Final average keratometry was 46.7 +/- 2.4 D (mean +/- SD, diopters), and final median keratometric astigmatism was 4.6 D (2.6-7.4 D, interquartile range), with no significant difference between groups. Final average keratometry values increased from preoperative values by 3.3 +/- 2.7 D. The correlation between preoperative average keratometry values and final values was low (rs = 0.2; p = 0.07). Average keratometry values increased by 2.3 D (median) after 10/ 0 suture removal (p < 0.0001) and by 0.2 D (median) after 11/0 suture removal (p = 0.09), with no significant difference between groups. There was a negative correlation between donor age and overall change in average keratometry (rs = -0.3; p = 0.002). Visual acuity improved by a median of 5 lines, with no significant difference between trephine systems.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no statistically significant difference in keratometric results using these two suction trephines with a standard suture technique. Final graft curvature was greater with both suction trephines compared with previously published results of transplants using hand-held trephines with the same suture technique.
Wiffen
S J
SJ
Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Maguire
L J
LJ
Bourne
W M
WM
D000368:Aged; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014019:Tissue Donors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity