Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK): intraoperative and postoperative complications and clinical results / Queratoplastia endotelial da membrana de Descemet (DMEK): complicações intraoperatórias e pós-operatórias com resultados clínicos

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the complications and clinical results of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in patients with endothelial failure that occurred during the learning curve of a surgeon. Methods: Fifty eyes of 50 patients with DMEK and ≥6 months of follow-up were included. The patients were divided into the first 25 (group 1) and the second 25 (group 2) procedures performed by the surgeon. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central corneal thickness (CCT), unfolding time of the Descemet membrane (DM) graft, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were compared between groups. Results: The differences in postoperative increase of BCVA (p=0.595) and decrease of CCT (p=0.725) in the two groups were not significant. The unfolding time of the DM was longer in group 1 than in group 2 (p=0.001). Primary graft failure occurred in three patients in group 1 and none in group 2. At the last visit, 42 (85.7%) of patients' corneas were clear, with significant difference between groups (p=0.584). A patient in group 1 with a history of pars plana vitrectomy, inferior iridectomy, and fluid as a tamponade experienced drop of the DM graft into the iridectomy space. All other intraoperative complications occurred in group 1. Conclusions: Occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative complications was increased in patients with coexisting ocular pathology or complicated endothelial dysfunction and during the surgeon's learning curve of DM endothelial keratoplasty procedures.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar as complicações e os resultados clínicos da queratoplastia endotelial da membrana de Descemet (DMEK) em indivíduos com insuficiência endotelial, durante a curva de aprendizado de um cirurgião. Métodos: Cinquenta olhos de 50 pacientes submetidos ao procedimento queratoplastia endotelial da membrana de Descemet com pelo menos 6 meses de acompanhamento foram incluídos neste estudo. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: como os primeiros 25 casos do cirurgião (grupo 1) e como os 25 casos seguintes (grupo 2). A melhor acuidade visual corrigida (MAVC), a espessura corneana central (ECC), o tempo de desdobramento do enxerto da membrana de Descemet (MD), as complicações intraoperatórias e pós-operatórias foram apresentadas e comparadas entre os grupos. Resultados: Os grupos não diferiram estatisticamente em relação ao aumento pós-operatório de melhor acuidade visual corrigida (p=0,595) ou à diminuição da espessura corneana central (p=0,725). O tempo de desdobramento dos enxertos de membrana de Descemet no grupo 1 foi maior do que no grupo 2 (p=0,001). Falha do enxerto primário foi observada em 3 pacientes do grupo 1 e em nenhum do grupo 2. Na última visita, 42 (85,7%) das córneas dos pacientes estavam claras e não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos (p=0,584). Na cirurgia de um paciente do grupo 1, com história de vitrectomia pars plana (PPV) com iridectomia inferior e fluido como tamponamento, observou-se queda do enxerto de membrana de Descemet no local da iridectomia. Além disso, todas as demais complicações intraoperatórias ocorreram no grupo 1. Conclusões: As complicações intraoperatórias e pós-operatórias foram maiores em pacientes com coexistência de outra patologia ocular ou com disfunção endotelial complicada durante as curvas de aprendizado dos cirurgiões no procedimento queratoplastia endotelial da membrana de Descemet.

Steady spreading the performance of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in China / 中华实验眼科杂志

Keratoplasty is the main method for visual restoration once disease has affected corneal clarity.Because of its favorable surgical outcomes,deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) has obtained popularity in ophthalmologist.It is of great importance to steadily spread the performance of DALK in China,which is otherwise prevented due to its high skill requirement and long learning curve.Therefore,this assessment reviewed the significance of spreading DALK in China,and discussed the indications,the learning curve and clinical research of DALK.

The clinical feature and surgical treatment for macular corneal dystrophy / 眼科

Objectives To investigate the clinical feature, diagnosis and surgical treatment for macular corneal dystrophy. Design Retrospective case series. Participants 18 patients(36 eyes)with macular corneal dystrophy. Methods The clinical data of patients were studied, including history, visual acuity, slit lamp microscopy, surgical method and follow-up. Main Outcome Measures Slit-lamp microscopic images of corneal dystrophy and graft. Results The patients with macular corneal dystrophy experienced progressive loss of vision. With slit lamp microscope, opacities were observed in the entire thickness of the stroma. Irregular grey-white nodules were noted in the central superficial stroma and peripherial deep stroma. Penetrating keratoplasties were performed in 14 cases (18 eyes). The follow-up was 6-112 months. At the last follow-up, all the grafts were clear. Conclusion Macular corneal dystrophy has typical clinical features. The diagnosis is mainly based on typical clinical manifestations. Penetrating keratoplasty is an effective approach for the treatment of patients with severe macular corneal dystrophy. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2006, 15:169-172 )