[Histopathological study of corneal wound healing in guinea pigs after deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty with small incision].
OBJECTIVE
To study the histopathological characteristics of corneal wound healing after deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty (DLEK) with small incision.


METHODS
Forty-five guinea pigs were divided into the donor and recipient groups, which consisted of 15 and 30 guinea pigs respectively. DLEK was performed in the right eye, and the left eye was used as histopathological control. Two guinea pigs with clear right corneas under biomicroscopy examination were killed at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 4 months postoperatively, separately. Bilateral corneal buttons were harvested for the evaluation of endothelial cells (alizarin red stain) and for the light microscopy study (HE or PAS staining).


RESULTS
Clear cornea could be obtained in 22 recipient eyes postoperatively. In these corneas, the endothelial cells either in the donor disc or recipient's bed were normal in shape and size. However, there was a band area between the donor disc and recipient's bed, where the endothelial cells were abnormal. In the early postoperative period, histopathological study disclosed increase of number of cells in the corneal stroma along the pathway of lamellar separation. The tissue connecting the gap between the donor and recipient lacked lamellar structure. The new descemet's membrane appeared beneath the endothelium 1 month postoperatively. Three to four months after the operation, the continuity of the descemet's membrane and the posterior lamella was rehabilitated.


CONCLUSIONS
The corneal wound healing process after the DLEK with small incision is related with the type of trauma. Collagen is arranged well at the surface of the lamellar. Fibrotic repair is seen in the marginal area connecting the donor disc and recipient's bed.
Zhang
Chao-ran
CR
Department of Ophthalmology, The Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China.
Xu
Jian-jiang
JJ
Chen
Rong-jia
RJ
Sun
Xing-huai
XH
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D014945:Wound Healing