Suture-related complications following keratoplasty - A 5-year retrospective study

Purpose. To study the incidence of suture-related complications following p enetrating keratoplasty (PK) and their effect on the success of corneal gra fting. Methods. The records of 332 patients receiving 361 grafts in 1993 an d 1994 were reviewed, and suture-related complications were recorded. These complications were divided into five groups: suture erosions, infiltrates at the Suture sites, infectious keratitis, loose sutures with imminent woun d dehiscence, and wound dehiscence after suture removal. Results. Occurrenc e rates were suture erosions, 10.8%; infiltrates, 9.4%; infectious keratiti s related to sutures, 3.3%; loose sutures with imminent wound separation in need of surgical repair, 8.3%; and wound dehiscence following suture remov al, 2.4%. Conclusions. Suture-related complications frequently occur after PK. Infectious keratitis and wound separations needing surgical repair may lead to loss of best-corrected visual acuity due to scarring, induced allog raft reactions, and/or increased astigmatism. Recommendations for post-PK s uture management are proposed.