Advantages of Double Running Sutures in Astigmatism After Penetrating Keratoplasty

Figures & data

Table 1 Indications for Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK) Surgery in Each Group

	INT n (%)	SRS n (%)	DRS n (%)	DRSa n (%)	DRS with 11–0 n (%)
Keratoconus	12 (60%)	10 (50%)	9 (45%)	13 (65%)	12 (60%)
Central corneal scarring	4 (20%)	5 (25%)	5 (25%)	3 (15%)	2 (10%)
Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy	2 (10%)	3 (15%)	4 (20%)	2 (10%)	3 (15%)
Fuch’s endothelial dystrophy	1 (5%)	2 (10%)	2 (10%)	1 (5%)	2 (10%)
Others	1 (5%)	0	2 (10%)	1 (5%)	1 (5%)
Total	20 (100%)	20 (100%)	20 (100%)	20 (100%)	20 (100%)

Abbreviations: INT, interrupted sutures; SRS, single running suture; DRS, double running with two 10–0 sutures; DRSa, double running antitorque with two 10–0 sutures; DRS with 11–0, double running with both 10–0 and 11–0 sutures.

Table 2 Demographic Characteristics of Patients Included in the Study

	INT	SRS	DRS	DRSa	DRS with 11–0
N patients	20	20	20	20	20
Age (y)	42.86 ± 13.54	45.34 ± 16.12	44.91 ± 14.55	47.82 ± 18.53	44.75 ± 15.26
Female/Male	9/11	12/8	11/9	10/10	13/7
Right/Left eyes	14/6	8/12	13/7	9/11	9/11

Abbreviations: INT, interrupted sutures; SRS, single running suture; DRS, double running with two 10–0 sutures; DRSa, double running antitorque with two 10–0 sutures; DRS with 11–0, double running with both 10–0 and 11–0 sutures.

Figure 1 The two main suturing techniques used in penetrating keratoplasty: single running suture (SRS) (A) and double running sutures (DRS) (B).

Table 3 Astigmatism (Diopters) Measured by Keratometry in Each Suturing Technique Groups at 12 Months of Follow-Up

	INT	SRS	DRS	DRSa	DRS with 11–0
Keratometric astigmatism (D)	5.86 ± 1.87	5.34 ± 1.99	3.00 ± 1.38	2.89 ± 1.11	3.06 ± 1.22
p value
Between INT and SRS			0.458
Between INT and DRS, DRSa, DRS with 11–0			0.001
Between SRS and DRS, DRSa, DRS with 11–0			0.001
Between DRS, DRSa and DRS with 11–0			0.792

Abbreviations: INT, interrupted sutures; SRS, single running suture; DRS, double running with two 10–0 sutures; DRSa, double running antitorque with two 10–0 sutures; DRS with 11–0, double running with both 10–0 and 11–0 sutures.

Table 4 Astigmatism (Diopters) Measured by Topography in Each Suturing Technique Groups at 12 Months of Follow-Up

	INT	SRS	DRS	DRSa	DRS with 11–0
Topographic astigmatism (D)	5.95 ± 1.69	5.62 ± 1.95	3.18 ± 1.44	3.02 ± 1.27	3.12 ± 1.08
p value
Between INT and SRS			0.529
Between INT and DRS, DRSa, DRS with 11–0			0.001
Between SRS and DRS, DRSa, DRS with 11–0			0.001
Between DRS, DRSa and DRS with 11–0			0.853

Abbreviations: INT, interrupted sutures; SRS, single running suture; DRS, double running with two 10–0 sutures; DRSa, double running antitorque with two 10–0 sutures; DRS with 11–0, double running with both 10–0 and 11–0 sutures.