Pre-cut donor tissue for Descemet stripping automated keratoplasty: anterior hinged lamella on versus off.
OBJECTIVE
To compare two different techniques for preparation of pre-cut lamellar corneal tissue for Descemet stripping automated keratoplasty.


METHODS
Eight donor lenticules were created with a full pass of the microkeratome blade, which resulted in a posterior lamella and a free cap (anterior lamella off group (AL-off)). Contralateral donor lenticules were created with an incomplete pass of the microkeratome blade, which resulted in a posterior lamella and a hinged anterior cap (anterior lamella on group (AL-on)). Endothelial cell density, cellular viability and corneal thickness were evaluated before dissection, and 4 and 24 h after dissection.


RESULTS
Average pre-cut endothelial cell density was 2552.25 (+/-105) and 2572.25 (+/-110) cells/mm(2) in the AL-off group and AL-on group, respectively (p=0.7). At 24 h cell density was 2404.87 (+/-74) in the AL-off group (p<0.01) and 2368.74 (+/-148) in the AL-on group (p=0.01). The mean percentage of trypan blue-stained cells was consistently higher in the hinged AL-on group. Corneal thickness increased by approximately 20% in both groups after 24 h cold storage.


CONCLUSIONS
Eye bank-prepared tissue offers the potential advantage of being screened for mechanical stress damage occurring during the automated dissection.
Amato
Domenico
D
S.Giovanni-Addolorata-Britannico Hospital, Rome, Italy. damato@hsangiovanni.roma.it
Oddone
Francesco
F
Nubile
Mario
M
Maria Colabelli Gisoldi
Rossella Anna
RA
Villani
Carlo Maria
CM
Pocobelli
Augusto
A
D002452:Cell Count; D003315:Cornea / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D003886:Descemet Membrane / Q000166:cytology / Q000601:surgery*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology; D005125:Eye Banks; D006801:Humans; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*