Posters

Impact of pre-cutting DSAEK tissue on clinical outcomes

Poster Details

First Author: M.O'Gallagher UK

Co Author(s):    M. Wilkins              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The use of pre-cut tissue has many advantages in Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK). Not cutting tissue in theatre can present challenges for surgeons who may have concerns over the quality of the cut made in the eye bank. Our large, multi-surgeon training unit recently changed from theater-cut to pre-cut tissue and this study aims to identify any increase in complication rates associated with the use of pre-cut tissue.

Setting:

Tertiary referral corneal surgical unit in the United Kingdom.

Methods:

A retrospective case note review was carried out. The last 30 patients who received theatre-cut tissue in our unit and the first 30 who received pre-cut tissue were included. The rates of dislocation requiring refloat and primary graft failure within the first post-operative month were calculated

Results:

Theatre-cut tissue had a refloat rate of 27% and a primary graft failure rate of 13%, compared to 23% and 17% respectively for pre-cut tissue. There was no statistically significant difference in these rates.

Conclusions:

In this study, the use of pre-cut tissue was not associated with an increase in graft dislocations or primary graft failure. This is in keeping with findings reported in the literature. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE