J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2012 Jan;53(1):20-26. 10.3341/jkos.2012.53.1.20.

Analysis of Factors Affecting the Decrease of Endothelial Cell Density in Imported Donor Corneas

• Kong SJ
• Cho K
• Kim MS

• KMID: 2215241
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2012.53.1.20

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the difference between corneal endothelial cell density at the moment of preservation and at keratoplasty in imported donor corneas and to analyze the correlated factors of the difference.
METHODS
Eighty-seven imported corneas were evaluated. Corneal endothelial cell density at the moment of preservation was obtained from the medical record and was measured just before the keratoplasty. Correlation of the difference in endothelial cell density with the following factors were analyzed; donor sex, donor age, death-to-preservation time, preservation-to-surgery time, death-to-surgery time, endothelial cell density at the moment of preservation, and preservation period of the corneas.
RESULTS
All of the corneas showed a decrease in endothelial cell density. Mean endothelial cell density of imported donor corneas at the moment of preservation and at keratoplasty was 2789 +/- 235 cells/mm2 and 2592 +/- 254 cells/mm2 (p < 0.001), respectively. Mean endothelial cell loss was 197 +/- 148 cells/mm2, which was significantly correlated with preservation-to-surgery time, death-to-surgery time and a preservation period longer than 7 days (p = 0.042, p = 0.045, p = 0.036, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Reduced death-to-surgery time and keratoplasty before 7 days of preservation are needed for better surgical outcome.

Keyword

Death to surgery time; Endothelial cell density; Imported donor corneas

MeSH Terms

Cornea
Corneal Transplantation
Endothelial Cells
Humans
Medical Records
Tissue Donors

Figure

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  Figure 1 Mean endothelial cell loss count of eye bank.

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  Figure 2 Correlation between donor age and endothelial cell loss count (r = -0.049, p = 0.650).

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  Figure 3 Correlation between death to preservation time and endothelial cell loss count (r = -0.040, p = 0.714). Mean death to preservation time was 9.0 ± 5.5 hours.

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  Figure 4 Correlation between death to surgery time and endothelial cell loss count (r = 0.216, p = 0.045). Mean death to surgery time was 152.2 ± 53.0 hours (6.34 days).

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