Abstract
Purpose: :
To compare Deep Lamellar Endothelial Keratoplasty Cell Loss with routine Penetrating Keratoplasty techniques
Methods: :
We performed the deep lamellar endothelial technique on 103 patients, initiating this surgery in March, 2001. Comparative endothelial cell counts have been attempted at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months postoperatively when graft clarity allowed. A cohort of routine PK patients followed for up to 10 years at Saint Luke’s were utilized for comparison.
Results: :
Results: Endothelial cell loss for 8 patients undergoing the Culbertson Lamellar DLEK technique was 30 % (3 months), 15 (6m), 47 (12m), 53 (24m), 76 (36m); for the Terry DLEK 7 patients 20% (3m), 47 (6m), 55 (12m); for the Price Descemets stripping 88 patients 44% (1m), 50 (3m), 44 (6m), 52 (12m). The comparable PK patients demonstrated only 26% (3m), 23 (6m), 33 (12m), 33 (18m), 40 (24m), 46 (30m), 53 (36m), 65 (50 m) 65% (120m).
Conclusions: :
Our early results of DLEK demonstrates a higher endothelial cell loss that a routine PK. Endothelial attrition in DLEK may be associated with lower long term graft survival.
Keywords: cornea: clinical science • transplantation • wound healing