[Corneal transplantation in keratoconus: evaluation of results and complications obtained by skillful and surgeons in training].
OBJECTIVE
Refractive and visual analysis in corneal transplantations performed for keratoconus by two groups of surgeons.


METHODS
Seventy eyes of seventy patients, which had been submitted to penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for keratoconus, were examined and their charts were reviewed retrospectively for long-term results after all sutures had been removed. The patients were divided into two groups, Group I had surgery performed by skillful surgeons and Group II by surgeons in training. The results of best correct visual acuity, refractive error, postoperative complications and computerized videokeratoscopy were compared.


RESULTS
The mean follow-up was 7.9 years with a range of 1.6 - 20 years. Each group consisted of 35 eyes. There were 35 females and 35 males. The donor age was different between the two groups. The surgical technique was the same in both groups, but the number of sutures was different. Preoperative mean logMAR visual acuity was low in the two groups, but statistically different and no relationship was found between the results. All the refractive, topographic and visual acuity results were similar between both groups. Endothelial rejection was more frequent in Group II. Only three grafts lost graft clarity. These patients belonged to Group II.


CONCLUSIONS
In a corneal referral practice, the visual results after PK were similar to those related to the PK performed by either expert surgeons or in training.
Mascaro
Vera Lucia Degaspare Monte
VL
Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Scarpi
Marinho Jorge
MJ
Hofling-Lima
Ana Luisa
AL
de Sousa
Luciene Barbosa
LB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity