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Seven‐day storage of pneumatically dissected Descemet's endothelial grafts with and without Dua's layer
Author(s) -
GamalElDin Sherif A.,
Salama Marwa M.,
ElShazly Malak I.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/aos.12823
Subject(s) - endothelial stem cell , dissection (medical) , transplantation , endothelium , andrology , chemistry , medicine , ophthalmology , surgery , in vitro , biochemistry
Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of big‐bubble ( BB ) technique in separating Dua's layer together with the Descemet's membrane endothelial ( DE ) graft and the effect of 7‐day storage of the prepared tissues on the endothelial cells. Method This is an experimental study in which 21 human corneo‐scleral tissues unsuitable for transplantation were used. Grafts were mounted on artificial chamber; epithelial side‐up with BB technique was used to detach the DE graft. The resultant tissues were stored in tissue culture medium for 7 days. Dua's layer presence, endothelial cell density ( ECD ), endothelial cell loss and viability were assessed after the dissection and at 7 days after storage. Results Complete detachment of DE grafts was achieved in 20 cases (95.24%). Histological analysis revealed Dua's layer presence in 14 cases (70%). The mean ECD for the corneas before dissection was 2375 ± 338 cells/mm 2 with significant reduction to 2200 ± 319 cells/mm 2 (p < 0.00001) with endothelial cell loss of 7.3 ± 3.5% and non‐viable cells of 6.5 ± 2.5% at the end of the 7‐day storage. On comparing the dissected DE grafts with Dua's layer versus those without at 1 day after dissection and at 7 days after storage, we found no statistically significant changes in endothelial cell loss (p = 0.387; p = 0.836 respectively) and non‐viable cells percentage (p = 0.180; p = 0.260, respectively). Conclusion Big‐bubble technique is reproducible in dissecting DE grafts with minimal damage to the endothelial cells. The percentage of endothelial cell loss and non‐viable cells is similar in the DE grafts with/without Dua's layer after 7‐day storage.