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Astigmatism after mersilene and nylon suture use for penetrating keratoplasty
D Landau1, C S Siganos, H Mechoulam
1Cornea and Refractive Surgery Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Purpose:
To evaluate postoperative astigmatism after the use of Mersilene and nylon sutures for penetrating keratoplasty.
Methods:
Two groups of 12 patients each (age, 20-50 years) suffering from keratoconus underwent penetrating keratoplasty. Continuous suturing combined with 12 interrupted sutures was used in each case: Mersilene 11-0 sutures were used in group 1, whereas nylon 10-0 sutures were used in group 2. Sutures were removed to control astigmatism when required. All patients were monitored for 36 months.
Results:
During the follow-up period, sutures were removed in each eye as indicated by astigmatism or breakage. In group 1 (Mersilene 11-0 sutures), no breakage of sutures was recorded. In group 2 (nylon 10-0 sutures), breakage of sutures was recorded in 11 of 12 cases. However, continuous sutures were removed in 2 patients in group 2. After the first year, the astigmatism remained within +/-1.00 diopter in all except 1 patient in group 1 and in 5 patients in group 2. No suture-related complications were recorded except for scarring with photophobia in 1 patient in group 1 and suture breakage in 11 eyes in group 2.
Conclusion:
Mersilene sutures can provide a stable postoperative astigmatism, whereas nylon sutures have a tendency to break and cause changes in corneal astigmatism.
