title: Novel method to avoid the open-sky condition in penetrating keratoplasty: covered cornea technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to present a novel technique to avoid the open-sky condition in pediatric and adult penetrating keratoplasty (PK).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two eyes of 65 infants and children and 44 eyes of 44 adult patients were operated on using this technique. After trephining the recipient cornea up to a depth of 50% to 70%, the anterior chamber was entered at 1 point. Then, only a 2 clock hour segment of the recipient button was incised, and this segment was sutured to the recipient rim with a single tight suture. The procedure was repeated until the entire recipient button was excised and resutured. The donor corneal button was sutured to the recipient corneal rim. The sutures between the recipient button and the rim were then cut off, and the recipient button was drawn out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the patients operated on with this technique developed complications related to the open-sky condition. Visual acuities, graft failure rates, and endothelial cell loss were comparable with the findings of studies performed for conventional PK.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The technique described avoids the open-sky condition during the entire PK procedure. Endothelial cell loss rates are acceptable.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Ophthalmology, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey; and †Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Osman S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Unal
authors.forename: Ceyhun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arici
authors.forename: Erdoğan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cicik
authors.forename: Serhat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mangan
authors.forename: Eray
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Atalay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002832:Choroid Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014792:Visual Acuity