Complications associated with running 11-0 nylon suture in penetrating keratoplasty

In a series of 100 penetrating keratoplasties, an 11-0 nylon suture was placed after first running a 10-0 suture. Three suture-related complications presented. One complication resulted from inadvertently cutting the 11-0 nylon as the 10-0 nylon was removed. The second complication was that of a traumatic rupture of the 11-0 nylon, which occurred ten months after surgery. The third complication arose from exposure of the 11-0 nylon through the epithelium due to wound contracture. The management of each suture-related complication is discussed.