Study finds variability in corneal tissue storage solutions’ impact on surgical outcomes
Although there are significant differences in central corneal thickness (CCT) among various FDA-approved storage solutions, these differences do not significantly impact the success rate of meeting surgeon preferences for Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) thickness, according to a study.
This suggests that clinicians can choose among these solutions based on other factors, such as availability or cost, without compromising surgical outcomes related to CCT.
Researchers analyzed 6220 tissues utilized for endothelial keratoplasty procedures, comparing the outcomes of tissues stored in Life4°C, Optisol-GS, Kerasave, and Eusol-C under hypothermic conditions. Researchers focused on preprocessing CCT, the success rate of meeting surgeon preferences for DSAEK thickness, as well as preprocessing and postprocessing endothelial cell density (ECD).
Findings indicated a variation in CCT across the different storage solutions. Tissues preserved in Life4°C exhibited a significantly lower mean preprocessing CCT of 532 μm compared to Optisol-GS (549 μm), Kerasave (582 μm), and Eusol-C (589 μm) (P < 0.0001). Optisol-GS also demonstrated a lower preprocessing CCT compared to Kerasave and Eusol-C (P < 0.0001).
Although there were differences in CCT, the success rate of meeting surgeon DSAEK preferences was found to be statistically similar across all 4 storage groups. Regarding ECD, the Kerasave group showed a numerically higher preprocessing ECD (2821 cells/mm²) compared to Eusol-C (2791 cells/mm²), Life4°C (2759 cells/mm²), and Optisol-GS (2768 cells/mm²) groups, though statistical significance varied (P = 0.3232, 0.0004, and 0.0015, respectively).
Reference
Ramini A, Titus MS, Sawant OB. Comparative Analysis of Endothelial Cell Density and Central Thickness of Corneas Used for Endothelial Keratoplasty Procedures Using Various Storage Solutions. Cornea. 2024;doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000003589. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38886884.
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