New corneal marker for passing a 24-bite anti-torque corneal transplant single continuous suture

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Minimizing post-keratoplasty astigmatism is crucial for visual outcomes.
• Single continuous-suture closure techniques offer advantages but present challenges in precise suture placement.
• Existing methods for achieving anti-torque closure can be technically demanding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel surgical instrument designed to facilitate precise suture placement in corneal transplantation.
• To simplify the execution of the single continuous-suture closure technique.
• To reduce surgically induced astigmatism following corneal transplant surgery.

Main Methods:

• A new surgical instrument was developed to create equidistant reference dots on recipient and donor corneal tissues.
• The instrument facilitates the placement of 24 dots after cardinal sutures are secured.
• Surgeons are guided to 'connect the dots' for suture passage, creating an anti-torque pattern.

Main Results:

• The instrument enables rapid and precise placement of sutures.
• It simplifies the technically challenging aspect of achieving an anti-torque closure pattern.
• The device is designed for ease of use by surgeons performing this closure technique.

Conclusions:

• The novel instrument effectively aids surgeons in performing single continuous-suture corneal transplant closures.
• This innovation promises to minimize corneal transplant astigmatism within one month post-surgery.
• The tool offers a practical solution for improving surgical accuracy and patient outcomes.