Posters

DMEK preparation with specific instrument: learning curve at the Basque Transfusion and Human Tissue Centre

Poster Details

First Author: J. Cabrerizo DENMARK

Co Author(s):    C. Rodriguez-Aierbe   J. Garrido-Fierro                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To assess skill transferring, learning curve and technique standardization of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) preparation with specific instruments at The Basque Transfusion and Human Tissue Centre.

Setting:

University of the Basque Country. The Basque Transfusion and Human Tissue Centre, Spain

Methods:

20 Corneas not eligible for transplantation were used for this study. An eyebank technician without previous surgical experience was monitored during tissue preparation. The technique was standardized and three were differentiated steps were characterized: “cleaning”, “stripping” and “pulling”. Preparation time, number of tears at every stage of the technique and donor demographics were monitored. To evaluate tissue damage, five differentiated graft morphological types were established. To evaluated technique accuracy and microscopical tissue damage, electron microscopy images were taken from three characterized areas of the donor cornea: graft periphery, trabecular meshwork and denuded stroma.

Results:

14 out of the 20 preparations resulted in viable grafts. A positive trend was found between graft morphology and the experience of the technician. Small peripheral round tears were the most common findings overall and in viable grafts. Radial and round tears where most common during the stripping and the cleaning phase respectively. No correlation between preparation time and operator experience was found.

Conclusions:

DMEK preparation with specific instruments may have a relatively short learning curve, which makes the technique feasible for eyebank technicians without previous surgical experience. The centralization of the process in an eyebank may hep to standardized the technique, monitoring tissue quality and subsequently, decreasing tissue loss.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE