title: Tissue quality of eye-bank-prepared precut corneas for Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate endothelial cell density (ECD) of eye-bank-prepared tissue for use in Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective case series of consecutive corneal tissue prepared for DSAEK surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-seven sequential corneal-scleral tissue specimens representing 48 human donors processed for use in DSAEK surgery by the Regional Tissue Bank (Halifax, Nova Scotia).
  
  
  METHODS
  Corneal-scleral donor tissue was obtained by in situ recovery. ECD was recorded using the EB-3000 XYZ (HAI Laboratories Inc, Lexington, MA) specular microscope within 24 hours of preservation. Before the tissue was dissected, the corneal thickness was measured using the DGH-550 PACHETTE 2 (DGH Technology, Exton, PA) ultrasound pachymeter. The dissection was performed using a 300-μm Moria ALTK model microkeratome (Moria Inc). The posterior bed thickness was measured, and the anterior flap was replaced. Endothelial cell count density was obtained after re-preservation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete measurements were obtained for 42 of 67 corneas. In 25 corneas it was not possible to obtain a postdissection ECD measurement. The mean ECD before dissection was 2806 ± 317 cells/mm(2). The mean ECD after dissection was 2772 ± 318 cells/mm(2). There was an average loss of 34 cells/mm(2) (95% CI -110 to 40 cells/mm(2), p = 0.3).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case series confirms that ECD is preserved when DSAEK tissue is prepared in advance of surgery by trained eye-bank technicians in a low-volume Canadian eye bank. It was difficult to obtain clear images of the endothelial cell layer postdissection, possibly because of tissue swelling or distortion. Sixty-six of 67 corneas included in the study were used for surgery.
authors: Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S. Electronic address: brian.nelson@dal.ca.
authors: Brian A
authors: BA
authors: Nelson
authors: Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S.
authors: Rusty J
authors: RJ
authors: Ritenour
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002452:Cell Count; D002648:Child; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D045424:Complex Mixtures; D055954:Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss / Q000175:diagnosis*; D063171:Corneal Pachymetry; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods; D057111:Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty; D003911:Dextrans; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005125:Eye Banks / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000592:standards*; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D045424:Complex Mixtures; D003911:Dextrans; D005839:Gentamicins; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; C075736:Optisol