The big bubble full femto technique: a new standardized femtosecond laser-assisted big-bubble technique in deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK)

Session Details

Session Title: Cornea Surgical I

Session Date/Time: Monday 12/09/2016 | 08:00-10:30

Paper Time: 10:06

Venue: Hall C1

First Author: : L.Buzzonetti ITALY

Co Author(s): :    R. Ardia   G. Petrocelli   S. Petroni   R. Parrilla   P. Valente        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To describe the Big Bubble Full Femto (BBFF), a new femtosecond laser assisted technique that could be helpful in standardizing the big-bubble technique in deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK).

Setting:

Ophthalmology Department, Bambino Gesù IRCCS Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy

Methods:

Ten eyes affected by keratoconus underwent the BBFF using a 150 kHz femtosecond laser. A 9.0mm diameter mask with a fissure 0.7mm wide was positioned into the cone. The laser performed a Ring Lamellar Cut 100µ above the thinnest point, and photodisruption effectively occurred only in the corneal stroma corresponding to the fissure in order to create a deep stromal channel; an arcuate incision is then performed from the corneal surface to the deep stromal channel. After the removal of the lamella, the air needle was inserted into the stromal channel and air was injected to achieve a big-bubble.

Results:

The big-bubble was achieved in 9 eyes (all type 1 bubbles) and all procedures were completed as DALK.

Conclusions:

Preliminary results suggest that the BBFF could help in standardizing the big-bubble technique in DALK, reducing the “learning curve” for surgeons who approach this technique, and the risks of intraoperative complications.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE