Eccentric lamellar keratolimbal grafts harvested with a manually guided microkeratome

Background: To perform lamellar keratolimbal allograft
transplantation in a one- step procedure with a single graft, we
investigated the feasibility of harvesting eccentric lamellar
keratolimbal grafts from conventionally processed corneoscleral
buttons using a manually guided microkeratome in conjunction with
an artificial anterior chamber system. Methods: We used the Moria
LSK- One microkeratome and the automated lamellar therapeutic
keratoplasty ( ALTK) system ( Antony, France). Ten human donor eyes
were used to obtain single- piece lamellar keratolimbal grafts.
Specimens were processed for light and electron microscopy.
Results: Eccentric keratolimbal grafts could be obtained from all
human donor buttons. Grafts include a crescent- shaped limbal and a
large corneal portion. No visible damage to the limbal region was
discernible. Conclusion: Our data show that the LSK- One
microkeratome in conjunction with the ALTK system allows harvesting
eccentric keratolimbal grafts from donor corneoscleral buttons.
Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.