One-year outcome after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) comparing sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) 20% versus 100% air for anterior chamber tamponade. Issue 7 (11th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schaub, Friederike; Enders, Philip; Snijders, Katharina; Schrittenlocher, Silvia; Siebelmann, Sebastian; Heindl, Ludwig M; Bachmann, Björn O; Cursiefen, Claus
• Is Part Of: British journal of ophthalmology. Volume 101:Issue 7(2017)
• Page Start: 902
• Page End: 908
• Publication Date: 2016-11-11
• Subjects: Cornea -- Dystrophy; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2016-309653
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1161

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To investigate 1-year clinical outcome and complication rates following Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) with sulfur hexafluoride 20% (SF6 20%) anterior chamber tamponade compared with conventionally used 100% air for primary graft attachment during DMEK surgery. Methods: Records of 1112 consecutive DMEKs were reviewed retrospectively and grouped by anterior chamber tamponade used during DMEK surgery (SF6 20% vs 100% air). Outcome measures included intraocular pressure (IOP), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), endothelial cell density (ECD) and central corneal thickness (CCT) at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after DMEK surgery. Complication rates were assessed, including intraoperative and postoperative complications, and graft detachment rate requiring rebubbling. Results: A total of 854 cases were included in this study. In 105 cases (12.3%), DMEK was performed with SF6 20%, and in 749 cases (87.7%) 100% air was used for anterior chamber tamponade. Outcome results for IOP, BSCVA, ECD and CCT at all follow-up time points were comparable for both anterior chamber tamponade groups without statistical significant differences (p≥0.05), but graft detachment rate requiring rebubbling was significantly lower in the SF6 20% group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Whereas SF6 20% anterior chamber tamponade does not seem to negatively affect the clinical outcome of DMEK surgery within the first postoperative year, use of SF6 20% significantly reduces the rate of rebubblings.