AIMS To report on the suturing techniques and aspects of postoperative management in penetrating keratoplasty in the United Kingdom. METHODS A postal questionnaire was sent to 137 ophthalmic consultants identified from a Royal College of Ophthalmology database as having a special interest in anterior segment surgery. The questionnaire surveyed surgeon preferences for surgical and suturing tec...

PURPOSE To compare the effect of three different suturing techniques on astigmatism after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in patients with keratoconus. METHODS In this retrospective study, 54 eyes of 54 patients with advanced keratoconus underwent DALK with three suturing techniques: single running, interrupted running, and combined interrupted and running. Postkeratoplasty astigma...

BACKGROUND The ganciclovir implant (Vitrasert; Bausch & Lomb Inc, Claremont, Calif) has been a useful device in the management of cytomegalovirus retinitis. Seven months after placement, implant exchange is often considered. However, removal may be difficult and may result in vitreous hemorrhage or intraocular dislocation. OBJECTIVE To describe a suture loop attached to the implant strut and ...

Suture button devices such as the TightRope (Arthrex, Naples, Florida) have been increasingly used for syndesmotic fixation of ankle fractures. Despite proposed advantages, prior studies have shown equivalent outcomes, with a theoretical decreased need for removal of hardware. Complications of suture button fixation of syndesmotic instability may be underreported and include lateral suture knot...

BACKGROUND Now, using a suture-button device to treat distal tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries is overwhelming due to its advantages over screw fixation. Current systematic review was conducted to make a comparison between suture-button fixation and traditionally screw fixation in the treatment of syndesmotic injuries. The outcomes included functional outcomes, implant removal, implant failure,...

BACKGROUND There are as yet no guidelines in rugby union for the management of facial lacerations which account for one-third of total injuries sustained by players. METHOD We devised a questionnaire to establish the current standards in rugby union clubs in England. The questionnaire covered such issues as inadequate wound cleansing, inappropriate suture material, the use of sterile suture e...

Letters Laparoscopic removal of abdominal cervical suture Editor, Cervical incompetence is diagnosed in 0.1-1% of all pregnancies and in 8% of women with repeated (two or more) mid-trimester pregnancy loss. 1 Cervical cerclage should be offered to patients with three or more pregnancies ending before 37 weeks gestation 2 as there is a strong body of clinical evidence suggesting that cervical ce...

BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate the patient's pain and quality of life after suture removal at either 3 or 7 days following the bilateral surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars. METHODS This study was a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial carried out in 30 patients, who acted as their own control. Each patient required the bilaterally impacted mandibular thir...

Bronchial stump aspergillosis (BSA), i.e. Aspergillus infection of bronchial granulation tissue surrounding endobronchial suture threads, is a very rare variant of localized suppurative bronchial Aspergillus infection. The majority of reported cases have occurred within one year after lung surgery. We present three more patients, in whom BSA occurred very late (4.5, 6 and 7 yrs) after pulmonary...

Background/aims—Post-keratoplasty astigmatism can be managed by selective suture removal in the steep axis. Corneal topography, keratometry, and refraction are used to determine the steep axis for suture removal. However, often there is a disagreement between the topographically determined steep axis and sutures to be removed and that determined by keratometry and refraction. The purpose of thi...