Posters

Tectonic keratoplasty with the use of ethanol-stored donor cornea for corneal melt with perforation: case series

Poster Details

First Author: S. Souki GREECE

Co Author(s):    A. Lazaridis   A. Mouchtouris   D. Brouzas   C. Koutsandrea   K. Droutsas  

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To assess the feasibility of storing corneal buttons in 95% ethanol, after removing Descemet membrane and endothelium for DMEK, for later use in tectonic lamellar or full-thickness keratoplasty.

Setting:

First Department of Ophthalmology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Methods:

Methods: Epikeratoplasty or lamellar keratoplasty was performed on 5 cases of total corneal melt and corneal perforation. The tectonic integrity of the globe was restored in all cases by suturing a donor corneoscleral button from which the Descemet membrane and endothelium had been removed and used for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) on another patient. The corneoscleral button had been preserved for a period of 1 week up to 8 months in ethanol 95% at 4°C. Results: In 4 cases the donor cornea remained relatively clear with only slight stromal edema and the anterior chamber was deep and quiet during the postoperative period. In one case the eye was enucleated due to rejection and melting of the donor tissue 1 month after epikeratoplasty.

Results:

The successful use of ethanol-preserved donor stroma after DMEK graft preparation for emergency tectonic keratoplasty is described. The procedure was performed as a temporary measure in order to avoid immediate globe-threatening complications such as expulsive hemorrhage or endophthalmitis. Furthermore, this indication allowed surgical treatment of two patients with only one corneal graft, hence, one patient receiving the endothelium in DMEK surgery and another patient receiving the corneoscleral button in tectonic keratoplasty.

Conclusions:

FINANCIAL DISCLOUSRE: NONE