Abstract
Abstract Background: Corneal transplantation is the most successful procedure among human tissue transplants and is the most widely practiced and taught form of allograft in the world. Although it is generally successful, some cases may progress to graft failure, and even in transplants with corneal transparency, refractive outcomes are not always satisfactory, which is often related to the surgical technique. Methods: The medical records of all patients undergoing corneal transplantation from 2011 to 2013 at Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre were reviewed, and clinical data were collected from the preoperative period up to 36 months after transplantation. For visual acuity, groups were created according to the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA): group 1 (worse than 20/200), group 2 (between 20/200 and 20/60) and group 3 (20/40 or better). Results: A total of 567 transplants were included, 315 (55.5%) performed by training surgeons and 252 (44.4%) by experts; 140 (24.6%) were classified as high-risk transplants. A significant difference was observed in the subgroups with low and high risk: 88.9% and 68.8% for residents (p<0.001) and 91.4% and 78.4% for experienced surgeons, respectively (p=0.005). Rejection within 36 months was greater among residents (p=0.001), especially in low-risk transplants. There was a significant improvement in visual acuity both in the training group (Kappa=0.935) and experienced group (Kappa=0.112). Conclusion: The corneal transplantation learning curve in a teaching hospital is quite safe, with visual outcomes and graft survival results for residents comparable to those for experienced surgeons. Rejection episodes were significantly higher among residents. Keywords Corneal transplantation; Graft survival; Training surgeons; Visual outcomes Abbreviations BCVA: Best Corrected Visual Acuity; DALK: Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty; HCPA, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre; PK: Penetrating Keratoplasty
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
