title: [Corneal transplantation in keratoconus: penetrating keratoplasty versus deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty with Melles technique].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) using Melles technique (technique B) in patients with advanced keratoconus versus a classic technique, penetrating keratoplasty (technique A).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective descriptive comparative study between technique A and technique B in homogeneous groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Best corrected visual acuity (Snellen test decimal scale) was 0.77±0.32 for group A and 0.62±0.29 for group B, with no statistically significant differences. The mean spherical final refraction in group A was 1.73±5.1 diopters, and the mean spherical equivalent was -3.92±5.1. Technique B group gave values -2.67±4.02 diopters and -4.55±4.08 diopters, respectively, with no statistically significant differences. The residual cylinder after removal of the sutures was 4.47±2.47 diopters for group A and 3.77±1.63 for group B, with no statistically significant differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No statistically significant differences were found for any of the studied variables when comparing both groups using the t -test for independent samples. More studies on the homogeneity and residual stromal bed thickness could provide the key to determine whether this technique is closer to the visual acuity of penetrating keratoplasty or DALK by a descemet technique.
authors.affiliation: Sección Córnea, Superficie Ocular Y Refractiva, Hospital La Arruzafa, Córdoba, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cano-Ortiz
authors.affiliation: Sección Córnea, Superficie Ocular Y Refractiva, Hospital La Arruzafa, Córdoba, España. Electronic address: alvillarrubia@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villarrubia
mesh_terms: D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000601:surgery*; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone
keywords: Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty; Keratoconus; Melles technique; Penetrating keratoplasty; Queratocono; Queratoplastia lamelar anterior profunda; Queratoplastia penetrante; Técnica de Melles