PURPOSE: To describe a new technique for performing maximum-depth anterior lamellar keratoplasty. METHODS: This was a case series study of a novel method. We combined shallow trephination of the cornea with superficial injection of air in 15 cases. This resulted in formation of a large bubble over Descemet membrane extending to the peripheral cornea. We deflated the bubble at the trephination wound and excised the button from the host completely. The follow-up was from 3 to 8 months. The best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, corneal clarity, endothelial cell count, and corneal thickness were recorded preoperatively and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Successful access to intact bare Descemet membrane was obtained in all but one case, which required conversion to penetrating keratoplasty. All corneas were clear at the end of follow-up. We found a significant difference in the endothelial cell counts in the cases that we compared. The postoperative central corneal thickness increased significantly compared with preoperative levels. CONCLUSION: The early outcomes in our initial series of cases using the "large-bubble" technique suggest that it is a fast effective method.
PURPOSE: To describe a new technique for performing maximum-depth anterior lamellar keratoplasty. METHODS: This was a case series study of a novel method. We combined shallow trephination of the cornea with superficial injection of air in 15 cases. This resulted in formation of a large bubble over Descemet membrane extending to the peripheral cornea. We deflated the bubble at the trephination wound and excised the button from the host completely. The follow-up was from 3 to 8 months. The best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, corneal clarity, endothelial cell count, and corneal thickness were recorded preoperatively and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Successful access to intact bare Descemet membrane was obtained in all but one case, which required conversion to penetrating keratoplasty. All corneas were clear at the end of follow-up. We found a significant difference in the endothelial cell counts in the cases that we compared. The postoperative central corneal thickness increased significantly compared with preoperative levels. CONCLUSION: The early outcomes in our initial series of cases using the "large-bubble" technique suggest that it is a fast effective method.