[Survey of complications in Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in 32 eyes].

OBJECTIVE

To report complications during and after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) in 32 eyes at a single academic center with two techniques for delivering the endothelial corneal graft.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Outcomes from a single center of 32 consecutives cases of DSAEK were analyzed prospectively. In the first 23 patients, the endothelial graft underwent single-fold delivery with forceps, and in the remaining nine patients, the graft was delivered with the Busin glide-based technique. The complications of DSAEK were noted from the intra- and postoperative periods.

RESULTS

Graft detachment was the most common type of complication encountered. In seven of 32 eyes (22%), graft detachments were observed. Three of the 32 eyes (9.5%) were considered to have failed DSAEK, meaning that persistent edema was present after DSAEK. One of the 32 eyes had a late corneal decompensation. Three eyes (9.5%) demonstrated graft rejection. Four eyes with detached grafts were successfully rebubbled after surgery. Two of the 32 eyes (6.2%) underwent repeat DSAEK and three eyes (9.5%) underwent penetrating keratoplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

DSAEK is becoming the preferred method for treating endothelial dysfunction because it maintains the structural integrity of the eye and provides rapid visual recovery with minimal refractive change. However, we experienced some complications. Graft detachment is the most common complication, but postoperative rebubbling allows for graft reattachment in most cases. Other common complications found in this series were graft failure and graft rejection.