PURPOSE: To report and compare the outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) triple procedures [combined PKP, cataract extraction, and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation] with a 25-gauge (G) system, 20-G system, and without core vitrectomy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Subjects comprised the following 3 groups: the 25-G group including 12 eyes of 12 patients (4 men and 8 women) that underwent PKP with 25-G core vitrectomy, the 20-G group including 9 eyes of 9 patients (3 men and 6 women) that underwent PKP with 20-G core vitrectomy, and the non-core vitrectomy group including 9 eyes of 9 patients (1 man and 8 women) that underwent PKP without core vitrectomy. RESULTS: In the 25-G, 20-G, and non-core vitrectomy groups, the success rates of IOL implantation were 91.7% (11 of 12 eyes), 88.9% (8 of 9 eyes), and 66.7% (6 of 9 eyes), respectively; the average operation times were 69 minutes, 82 minutes, and 90 minutes, respectively. The 25-G group showed significantly shorter operation time than the other 2 groups. Although not statistically significant, a higher rate of capsular rupture was seen in the non-core vitrectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: A PKP triple procedure with the 25-G system can be a safe treatment that offers a better success rate of IOL implantation and a significantly shorter operation time.
PURPOSE: To report and compare the outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) triple procedures [combined PKP, cataract extraction, and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation] with a 25-gauge (G) system, 20-G system, and without core vitrectomy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Subjects comprised the following 3 groups: the 25-G group including 12 eyes of 12 patients (4 men and 8 women) that underwent PKP with 25-G core vitrectomy, the 20-G group including 9 eyes of 9 patients (3 men and 6 women) that underwent PKP with 20-G core vitrectomy, and the non-core vitrectomy group including 9 eyes of 9 patients (1 man and 8 women) that underwent PKP without core vitrectomy. RESULTS: In the 25-G, 20-G, and non-core vitrectomy groups, the success rates of IOL implantation were 91.7% (11 of 12 eyes), 88.9% (8 of 9 eyes), and 66.7% (6 of 9 eyes), respectively; the average operation times were 69 minutes, 82 minutes, and 90 minutes, respectively. The 25-G group showed significantly shorter operation time than the other 2 groups. Although not statistically significant, a higher rate of capsular rupture was seen in the non-core vitrectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: A PKP triple procedure with the 25-G system can be a safe treatment that offers a better success rate of IOL implantation and a significantly shorter operation time.