Homologous penetrating central limbo-keratoplasty (HPCLK) in bilateral limbal stem cell insufficiency.
OBJECTIVE
Bilateral stem cell deficiency can be overcome only by keratoplasty plus additional homologous limbal transplantation. We have four years' experience with a new surgical one-stage procedure, homologous penetrating central limbo-keratoplasty (HPCLK).


METHODS
A clinical trial was performed in order to evaluate the effectiveness of this new method. The first 25 eyes after HPCLK for limbal stem cell deficiency have been followed for more than 12 months. The eccentrically trephined unmatched grafts contained 40% limbus and were transplanted centrally in the host. Systemic cyclosporin A (CSA) was administered for at least one year. Central clear graft survival was the main outcome criterion.


RESULTS
18 grafts failed, mostly because of postoperative surface disorders. Seven grafts have remained centrally clear 12-41 months after HPCLK.


CONCLUSIONS
In the majority of the grafts the transplanted limbal stem cells underwent immune destruction. The survival of seven grafts, however, shows that HPCLK is principally a promising new procedure. Further progress can be expected from the use of well HLA-matched grafts instead of unmatched grafts and from further improved systemic immune modulation.
Reinhard
T
T
Eye Clinic, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany. reinhath@uni-duesseldorf.de
Sundmacher
R
R
Spelsberg
H
H
Althaus
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006085:Graft Survival; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000276:immunology / Q000379:methods*; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine