P 176 Changes in keratocyte density of the human cornea during organ culture

Purpose : The aim of this study is to compare the results of two series of penetrating keratoplasties, e.sch with a different method of conservation. Methods : The corneas of sixteen donors were conserved one of each pair at 4OC and the other at 31%. The average duration of conservation was 3.2 days at 4°C and 13.4 days at 31°C. Average endothelial cell density evaluated with trypan blue was 3421 cells/mm2 at 4°C. At 31°C it was 3040 cells/mm2 before keratoplasty. ReSultS : Between October 1993 and february 1994, we performed 32 penetrating keratoplasties with thrs grafts. At 4°C duration of follow-up was 9.2 months with a survival rate of 87.5%. Mean cornea1 thickness was 504 pm. Average endothelial cell count was 1659 cells/mm2 on specular microscopy. At 31°C, duration of followup was 9.4 months with a survival rate of 93%. Mean cornea1 thickness was 507 pm. Average enclothelial cell count was 1700 cells/mm2 on specular microscopy. There is no statistical difference between cornea1 thickness measurement and endothelial cell count of corneas conserved at 31°C and thos,e conserved at 4°C. Conclusions : Our study did not reveal any difference in short outcome of penetrating keratoplasties between corneas stored at 31°C and those stored at 4’C.