title: Loosening of single versus double running sutures in penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Purpose of the study was to evaluate single versus double running sutures in penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus with respect to suture loosening.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-eight patients were consecutively operated for keratoconus by the same surgeon with the same surgical technique. For the first 45 patients, a single running 10-0 nylon suture was used. For the remaining 43 patients, double running 10-0 nylon sutures were taken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Suture loosening was observed significantly (P<0.001; Chi-Square test) more often in the patients with a single running suture (12/45=27%) than in the patients with double running sutures (0/43=0%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that double running sutures in comparison to a single running suture may be helpful in preventing suture loosening in penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus.
authors.affiliation: Universitäts-Augenklinik, Erlangen, Germany. Jost.Jonas@augen.med.uni-erlangen.de
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Jonas
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Budde
mesh_terms: D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013536:Suture Techniques