11-0 Mersilene alone as a single running suture in corneal grafts

To study the safety and long-term stability of 11-0 Mersilene when used alone as a single running suture in corneal grafts.

Seventeen eyes on which corneal transplants were performed with 11-0 Mersilene alone as a single running suture between October 1992 and April 1998 were entered into this study. Post-operative data were collected retrospectively on a standardised form. Mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 49.7 years. Pre-operative diagnoses were keratoconus (8 eyes), Fuchs' corneal dystrophy (6 eyes), megalocornea (1 eye), bullous keratopathy (1 eye) and irregular astigmatism following penetrating corneal injury (1 eye). Mean follow-up was 54.1 months, and ranged between 24 and 91 months.

Fourteen eyes (82%) achieved visual acuities of 6/18 or better. Post-keratoplasty astigmatism was < or = 5D in 14 eyes (82%). Sutures were left intact in 9 eyes for a mean period of 51.1 months (24-91 months). Complications included wound leak (3 cases), elevated edge (1 case), high intraocular pressure (1 case), sterile infiltrates (1 case) and early rejection (1 case).

11-0 Mersilene alone can be effectively used as a single running suture in corneal grafts. These sutures can safely be left intact for a long period due to Mersilene's non-biodegradable nature.