11-0 Mersilene alone as a single running suture in corneal grafts.
OBJECTIVE
To study the safety and long-term stability of 11-0 Mersilene when used alone as a single running suture in corneal grafts.


METHODS
Seventeen eyes on which corneal transplants were performed with 11-0 Mersilene alone as a single running suture between October 1992 and April 1998 were entered into this study. Post-operative data were collected retrospectively on a standardised form. Mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 49.7 years. Pre-operative diagnoses were keratoconus (8 eyes), Fuchs' corneal dystrophy (6 eyes), megalocornea (1 eye), bullous keratopathy (1 eye) and irregular astigmatism following penetrating corneal injury (1 eye). Mean follow-up was 54.1 months, and ranged between 24 and 91 months.


RESULTS
Fourteen eyes (82%) achieved visual acuities of 6/18 or better. Post-keratoplasty astigmatism was < or = 5D in 14 eyes (82%). Sutures were left intact in 9 eyes for a mean period of 51.1 months (24-91 months). Complications included wound leak (3 cases), elevated edge (1 case), high intraocular pressure (1 case), sterile infiltrates (1 case) and early rejection (1 case).


CONCLUSIONS
11-0 Mersilene alone can be effectively used as a single running suture in corneal grafts. These sutures can safely be left intact for a long period due to Mersilene's non-biodegradable nature.
Kalyansundaram
T S
TS
Ophthalmology Department, Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, UK.
Bearn
M A
MA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures; D014792:Visual Acuity
D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; C025539:Lavsan