Microkeratome-assisted superficial anterior lamellar keratoplasty for anterior stromal corneal opacities after penetrating keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To describe the surgical technique and report the outcomes of patients treated with microkeratome-assisted superficial anterior lamellar keratoplasty for anterior stromal corneal opacities developing after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). METHODS: All patients with post-penetrating keratoplasty anterior stromal opacities treated with microkeratome-assisted superficial anterior lamellar keratoplasty between July 2005 and June 2007 were reviewed. A 130-µm superficial keratectomy was performed, followed by the placement of an appropriately sized donor graft, which was secured with overlay sutures. Refraction, corneal topography, and uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuities (UCVA, BCVA, respectively) were noted at each examination. RESULTS: Nine eyes of 8 consecutive patients were identified. Causes of anterior stromal opacities included dystrophy recurrence (n = 3), post-photorefractive keratectomy haze (n = 2), and scarring after stromal melt (n = 4). BCVA improved in all 9 eyes at final follow-up, and 7 of 9 eyes achieved ≥20/40 within the first month. Average follow-up period was 28 ± 3.9 months. Refractive astigmatism also improved by an average of 0.7 diopters. CONCLUSIONS: Superficial anterior lamellar keratoplasty is a viable and effective alternative to repeat PK in treating anterior stromal scars. It avoids open-globe surgery and exposure to endothelial rejection associated with repeat PK, and visual rehabilitation is considerably quicker.

High rate of incomplete resection after primary excision of eyelid BCC: multi-staged resection rarely needs more than two procedures.

PURPOSE: Small, well-demarcated, biopsy-proven periocular basal cell carcinomas (BCC) are often excised in a single stage with immediate reconstruction when histology or location is considered low-risk. We investigated margin clearance in patients undergoing primary excision and immediate reconstruction (PER) versus multi-staged fast paraffin excision (MSE) and reviewed risk factors for incomplete excision. METHODS: Retrospective, interventional, comparative case series of periocular BCCs excised over a 3-year period (2006-2008). RESULTS: Ninety consecutive patients with periocular BCC (average age 77 ± 10.1 years, 60% females) were included. 39% (35/90) underwent PER with the remainder managed by MSE (55/90, 61%). Patients undergoing MSE had larger lesions (38% > 10 mm versus 23% PER) which were more likely to involve the medial canthus (25 versus 11% PER). Incomplete histological clearance was noted in 34% (12/35) patients after PER. Only 3/55 (5%) needed third stage of excision in the MSE group with final incomplete excision in two cases (3.6%) that did not undergo a third stage excision. No significant risk factors were found likely to predict residual BCC overall, after first excision stage. Subgroup analysis for patients undergoing PER showed multiple lesions as the only statistically significant factor for incomplete excision. CONCLUSION: This study shows an unacceptably high rate of incomplete resection with primary excision and repair using a standard 3 mm margin. The majority of lesions undergoing multi-stage excision required no more than two stages for complete removal. Multi-stage excision with histological confirmation of clear margins prior to reconstruction is recommended for routine management of all periocular BCC.

Intraocular lens exchange 1 week after descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To report a case of intraocular lens (IOL) exchange performed 1 week after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). METHODS: Describe the clinical findings and outcome of IOL exchange in an 80-year-old man with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and retained Artisan (Ophtec BV, Groningen, the Netherlands) iris-fixated IOL after uneventful DSAEK. RESULTS: The patient presented on the third postoperative day after DSAEK with disenclavation of the nasal iris claw and inferior dislocation of the IOL. The dislocated IOL was removed and exchanged with an angle-supported open-loop anterior chamber lens 7 days after the initial DSAEK procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the relatively traumatic intraocular manipulation, the donor tissue was unaffected in its position and clarity. This case demonstrates that successful DSAEK surgery is compatible with additional surgical procedures, even if they are performed in the early postoperative period.

Porous polyethylene (Medpor) orbital implants with primary acellular dermis patch grafts.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of the porous polyethylene (Medpor) orbital implantation technique combined with the use of a primary patch graft of acellular dermis. METHODS: The study design was a retrospective, non-comparative single surgeon case series of 27 patients. The Medpor orbital implant was placed with a primary anterior sub-Tenon's acellular dermis patch after evisceration (23/27), enucleation (2/27) or implant exchange/secondary implant procedure (2/27) over a period of 3 years. Risk factors for dehiscence/complications were defined as trauma, infection, inflammation, previous ocular surgery, radiotherapy, secondary orbital implantation, and removal of extruding implants. The primary outcome measure was the development of implant exposure. Other complications were also recorded, including postoperative conjunctival wound dehiscence. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (93%) had more than 2 risk factors. Mean follow-up time was 22 months (median 24 months, range 4-34 months). Three (11%) patients needed further intervention, which included pyogenic granuloma excision (1) and fornix formation (1). Conjunctival wound dehiscence followed by implant exposure occurred in 1 of 27 eyes (3.7%). The cosmetic appearance was satisfactory in 26/27 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results with primary acellular dermis grafts when coupled with Medpor orbital implantation are encouraging.