Posters

Experimental models of corneal trauma surgical sutures

Poster Details

First Author: R.Rivero Gómez MEXICO

Co Author(s):    J. Dalma-Weiszhauz   M. Galvan-Chavez   E. Guinto-Arcos   N. Dávila-Ávila   D. Miyake   C. Sebastián-Arellano     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Describe the effects of full-thickness corneal sutures and partial-thickness corneal sutures in the surgical treatment of penetrating corneal wounds in an animal model.

Setting:

Asociación para Evitar la Ceguera en México I.A.P. between january 2018 and january 2019.

Methods:

Prospective, Experimental, Comparative, Longitudinal Study. Eight domestic pigs were included. A linear full-thickness corneal incision of 6mm was performed in their right eyes. We randomly proceeded to the closure of wounds with five simple partial-thickness nylon 10-0 sutures in four pigs and five simple total-thickness nylon 10-0 sutures in four pigs. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography, corneal topography, corneal pachymetry and clinical photographs were performed at first, fourth and eighth postoperative weeks. We studied postoperative corneal thickness, Seidel's test, depth of suture, perilesional stromal edema, complications and coaptation of wound edges. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 17.0.

Results:

Decrease in corneal thickness in full-thickness suture wound (FTSW) group comparing first and eighth week p=0.026.  Decrease in corneal thickness in partial-thickness suture wound (PTSW) comparing first and eighth week p=0.014. No differences were found comparing both groups in corneal thickness at eighth week p=0.685. All eyes developed corneal scarring: 100% of the eyes with FTSW developed linear and organized stromal scar, while 100% of the eyes with PTSW developed a dense and disorganized stromal scar (p=0.014). Periodic-acid Schiff (PAS) stain showed more disorganization of the collagen fibers and the neoformation of a fibroconnective membrane in the PTSW group.

Conclusions:

By comparing FTSW with PTSW, we observed that the first group presented milder postoperative corneal edema at first weeks and a more organized and less opaque residual stromal scar. The FTSW PAS stain showed less disorganization of the collagen fibers and endothelialization of the posterior stroma without the neoformation of a fibroconnective membrane which were presented by the PTSW PAS stain.

Financial Disclosure:

None