title: Astigmatism after mersilene and nylon suture use for penetrating keratoplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate postoperative astigmatism after the use of Mersilene and nylon sutures for penetrating keratoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups of 12 patients each (age, 20-50 years) suffering from keratoconus underwent penetrating keratoplasty. Continuous suturing combined with 12 interrupted sutures was used in each case: Mersilene 11-0 sutures were used in group 1, whereas nylon 10-0 sutures were used in group 2. Sutures were removed to control astigmatism when required. All patients were monitored for 36 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the follow-up period, sutures were removed in each eye as indicated by astigmatism or breakage. In group 1 (Mersilene 11-0 sutures), no breakage of sutures was recorded. In group 2 (nylon 10-0 sutures), breakage of sutures was recorded in 11 of 12 cases. However, continuous sutures were removed in 2 patients in group 2. After the first year, the astigmatism remained within +/-1.00 diopter in all except 1 patient in group 1 and in 5 patients in group 2. No suture-related complications were recorded except for scarring with photophobia in 1 patient in group 1 and suture breakage in 11 eyes in group 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mersilene sutures can provide a stable postoperative astigmatism, whereas nylon sutures have a tendency to break and cause changes in corneal astigmatism.
authors.affiliation: Cornea and Refractive Surgery Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Landau
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Siganos
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mechoulam
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frucht-Pery
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000601:surgery*; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009757:Nylons; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D009757:Nylons; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; C025539:Lavsan