PURPOSE: To compare results after transplantation of donor corneas stored in Chen Medium (containing beta-hydroxybutyrate without sodium bicarbonate or chondroitin sulfate) to corneas stored in Optisol-GS medium (containing sodium bicarbonate and 2.5% chondroitin sulfate). METHODS: We performed 32 consecutive penetrating keratoplasties with donor corneas stored at 4 degrees C in eitherChen Medium or Optisol-GS by random assignment. Corneal thickness measurements were made at 1 day, 1 week, 3 weeks, 2 months, and 1 year postkeratoplasty. Specular microscopic images of the donor endothelium were obtained at the beginning of storage and 2 months and 1 year postkeratoplasty. The percentage of intact epithelium 1 day after keratoplasty and the graft epithelialization time were estimated by the surgeons. Donor rim cultures were performed. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in corneal thickness or endothelial cell loss between the corneas stored in the two media were found at any time, although differences of less than 12% cell loss or 0.09-mm thickness at 2 months or less than 25% cell loss or 0.10-mm thickness at 1 year could not be excluded with 90% certainty in this small series. The mean percentages of intact graft epithelium on day 1, 64% for Chen Medium and 65% for Optisol-GS, were not significantly different. Endothelial cell density 2 months postkeratoplasty was significantly decreased for corneas stored in both media. Endothelial cell loss at 2 months was directly correlated with storage time in both media. CONCLUSIONS: After keratoplasty, no statistically significant differences in corneal thickness, epithelial survival, and endothelial cell loss were found between corneas stored in Chen Medium and Optisol-GS. Endothelial cell loss at 2 months was significantly correlated with storage time in both media.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: To compare results after transplantation of donor corneas stored in Chen Medium (containing beta-hydroxybutyrate without sodium bicarbonate or chondroitin sulfate) to corneas stored in Optisol-GS medium (containing sodium bicarbonate and 2.5% chondroitin sulfate). METHODS: We performed 32 consecutive penetrating keratoplasties with donor corneas stored at 4 degrees C in either Chen Medium or Optisol-GS by random assignment. Corneal thickness measurements were made at 1 day, 1 week, 3 weeks, 2 months, and 1 year postkeratoplasty. Specular microscopic images of the donor endothelium were obtained at the beginning of storage and 2 months and 1 year postkeratoplasty. The percentage of intact epithelium 1 day after keratoplasty and the graft epithelialization time were estimated by the surgeons. Donor rim cultures were performed. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in corneal thickness or endothelial cell loss between the corneas stored in the two media were found at any time, although differences of less than 12% cell loss or 0.09-mm thickness at 2 months or less than 25% cell loss or 0.10-mm thickness at 1 year could not be excluded with 90% certainty in this small series. The mean percentages of intact graft epithelium on day 1, 64% for Chen Medium and 65% for Optisol-GS, were not significantly different. Endothelial cell density 2 months postkeratoplasty was significantly decreased for corneas stored in both media. Endothelial cell loss at 2 months was directly correlated with storage time in both media. CONCLUSIONS: After keratoplasty, no statistically significant differences in corneal thickness, epithelial survival, and endothelial cell loss were found between corneas stored in Chen Medium and Optisol-GS. Endothelial cell loss at 2 months was significantly correlated with storage time in both media.