Posterior Dislocation of Posterior Lamellar Corneal Graft with Viable Endothelial Cells

To present a case of a dislocated posterior lamellar graft into the vitreous cavity in an eye that was post pars plana vitrectomy.

Retrospective case report.

A middle-aged man underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), pars plana lensectomy (PPL), and SSIOL fixation following a traumatic eye injury. The patient required subsequent Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) for corneal edema, and the posterior lamellar graft was lost intraoperatively into the posterior segment. The graft was surgically retrieved one week later, followed by a successful placement of a new posterior lamellar graft. Histopathological examination of the retrieved graft after one week in the vitreous cavity revealed viable endothelial cells, a novel finding in a posteriorly dislocated DSAEK graft. The newly placed graft remained attached and healed well, with the patient achieving a visual acuity (VA) of 20/80 at three months post-operatively.

Posteriorly dislocated grafts may be suitable for transplantation to the corneal stroma following prompt retrieval from the vitreous cavity. Prompt retrieval and appropriate surgical techniques are critical for optimizing outcomes in such clinical scenarios.