title: Penetrating keratoplasty performed by residents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the results of penetrating keratoplasty performed by residents.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective medical record review of all patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty performed by residents at our institution from April 1998 to April 2002.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty penetrating keratoplasty procedures were performed by 8 residents. The most common indication was keratoconus (17 eyes [43%]), followed by corneal scarring (14 eyes [35%]). Mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/250. No intraoperative complications were reported. Mean follow-up time was 15 months. Postoperatively, mean best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40, mean postoperative astigmatism was 3.4 +/- 2.1 diopters, and graft survival was 92.5%. Postoperative complications included elevated intraocular pressure, wound dehiscence, and endophthalmitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Best-corrected visual acuity, postoperative astigmatism, graft survival, and intraoperative and postoperative complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Residents can be introduced to penetrating keratoplasty and achieve surgical success with intraoperative and postoperative complication rates similar to those previously published.
authors.affiliation: Cornea Service, Department of Ophthalmology, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA. ethankutzscher@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ethan M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Kutzscher
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Sorenson
authors.forename: Daniel F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Goodman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity