Abstract
PURPOSE: To study the incidence of suture-related complications following penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and their effect on the success of corneal grafting.
METHODS: The records of 332 patients receiving 361 grafts in 1993 and 1994 were reviewed, and suture-related complications were recorded. These complications were divided into five groups: suture erosions, infiltrates at the suture sites, infectious keratitis, loose sutures with imminent wound dehiscence, and wound dehiscence after suture removal.
RESULTS: Occurrence rates were suture erosions, 10.8%; infiltrates, 9.4%; infectious keratitis related to sutures, 3.3%; loose sutures with imminent wound separation in need of surgical repair, 8.3%; and wound dehiscence following suture removal, 2.4%.
CONCLUSIONS: Suture-related complications frequently occur after PK. Infectious keratitis and wound separations needing surgical repair may lead to loss of best-corrected visual acuity due to scarring, induced allograft reactions, and/or increased astigmatism. Recommendations for post-PK suture management are proposed.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 816-9 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Cornea |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 2001 |
Keywords
- Cataract Extraction
- Corneal Diseases/surgery
- Eye Infections, Bacterial/etiology
- Female
- Humans
- Incidence
- Keratitis/microbiology
- Keratoplasty, Penetrating
- Lens Implantation, Intraocular
- Male
- Postoperative Complications
- Reoperation
- Retrospective Studies
- Surgical Wound Dehiscence/etiology
- Suture Techniques/adverse effects
- Time Factors
- Visual Acuity