Posters

Trends in corneal transplantation in a single centre in Barcelona, Spain: transitioning to DMEK

Poster Details

First Author: F.Palma Carvajal SPAIN

Co Author(s):    A. Salazar   L. Chamorro   J. Peraza-Nieves   F. Spencer   J. Torres        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To observe trends in surgical techniques for corneal transplantation and main indications in our hospital over the past five years.

Setting:

Hospital Clinic, Barcelona,Spain.

Methods:

Retrospective and descriptive study including all keratoplasties performed in Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Spain between January 2014 and December 2018.

Results:

332 keratoplasties were performed. 127 (38.25%) were penetrating keratoplasties (PK) and 205 (61.75%) were lamellar keratoplasties (LK). In 2014, a total of 48 keratoplasties were carried-out, whereas in 2018, a total of 93, which represents a 93.75% increase in corneal transplantation surgeries. Eye bank delivered precut tissue for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) was introduced in 2016, and 3 cases (6.25%), were carried out that year. In 2018, DMEK became the leading technique with 56 cases (60.22%). Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), was the leading indication for corneal transplant (37.63%) in 2018.

Conclusions:

Introduction of DMEK in a single center can be implemented in a relatively short period of time, becoming the most popular surgical procedure in corneal transplant. A possible factor encouraging this change is the availability of an eye bank delivered precut tissue, a standardization of donor preparation and host surgical steps, optimizing surgical time in the operating room. This trend should lead to better visual outcomes, faster recovery times, and eventually to a higher surgical volume per year.

Financial Disclosure:

None