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Graft preparation for hemi-Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (hemi-DMEK)
  1. Jessica T Lie1,2,
  2. Fook Chang Lam1,3,4,
  3. Esther A Groeneveld-van Beek1,2,
  4. Jacqueline van der Wees1,2,
  5. Gerrit RJ Melles1,2,3
  1. 1Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  2. 2Amnitrans EyeBank Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  3. 3Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  4. 4Worthing and St Richard's Hospital, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, West Sussex, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Gerrit RJ Melles, Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery, Laan Op Zuid 390, Rotterdam 3071 AA, The Netherlands; research{at}niios.com

Abstract

Background/aims There is a substantial shortage of donor tissue for endothelial keratoplasty worldwide. Using two endothelial grafts of one donor cornea may potentially increase the pool of suitable donor tissue for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). This study evaluates the technical feasibility of obtaining two DMEK grafts with a different (semicircular) shape, but similar surface area as a ‘conventional’ 8–9 mm circular transplant from a single donor cornea and to evaluate the viability of these grafts stored in organ-culture medium up to 5 weeks after graft preparation.

Methods Ten human corneas not suitable for transplantation were used for preparation of semicircular-shaped grafts (hemi-DMEK grafts). The viability of these hemi-DMEK grafts was measured by evaluating the endothelial cell density (ECD) with light microscopy before and immediately after preparation and during five additional weeks of organ culture.

Results Hemi-DMEK preparation was successful in all cases. All grafts formed a roll. A small area denuded of cells was observed after preparation along the straight edge of the DM roll. The mean ECD was 2654 (±65) cells/mm2 before and 2651 (±94) cells/mm2 immediately after hemi-DMEK preparation and declined gradually from 2518 (±133) cells/mm2 after 1 week to 1847 (±170) cells/mm2 after 5 weeks of organ-culture storage.

Discussion Preparation of two hemi-DMEK grafts from one single human donor cornea is technically feasible, and the grafts can be stored after preparation in organ-culture similar to standard circular DMEK grafts. Hemi-DMEK may have the potential to double the availability of donor endothelial tissue for DMEK.

  • Cornea
  • Eye (Tissue) Banking

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