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Corneal Donor Tissue Preparation for Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty
Published on: September 17, 2014
Descemet membrane air-bubble separation in donor corneas
Davide Venzano1, Paola Pagani, Nadia Randazzo
1Clinica Oculistica, Centro di Ricerca Clinica e Laboratorio per il Glaucoma e la Cornea, Di.N.O.G., Universita di Genova, Genova, Italy.
Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
|November 30, 2010
Summary
A new technique successfully detaches Descemet membrane from donor corneas using an air bubble. This method preserves the endothelial layer, crucial for corneal transplantation success.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Tissue Engineering
- Surgical Techniques
Background:
- Descemet membrane transplantation is a key procedure in treating corneal endothelial dysfunction.
- Preserving the integrity of the endothelial cell layer during tissue preparation is critical for graft survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and evaluate a novel technique for obtaining Descemet-endothelium disks from donor corneas.
- To assess the impact of different air bubble management strategies on endothelial cell loss.
Main Methods:
- Human donor corneas were mounted on an artificial chamber.
- An air bubble was introduced into the deep stroma to detach the Descemet membrane.
- Three groups were compared: sustained bubble inflation, immediate deflation, and post-detachment deflation with trephination.
Main Results:
- Descemet membrane detachment was successful in 89% of tissues.
- Endothelial cell loss after 48 hours was significantly lower in the group with post-detachment deflation and trephination (3% ± 3%) compared to other groups.
- The described technique yielded Descemet-endothelium disks with minimal endothelial layer alterations.
Conclusions:
- A modified air bubble technique allows for efficient detachment of Descemet membrane.
- This method effectively minimizes endothelial cell loss, enhancing the viability of donor tissue for transplantation.
