Clinical outcomes of non-torque pattern double running suture technique for optical penetrating keratoplasty.

OBJECTIVE To validate non-torque pattern double running suture technique for optical penetrating keratoplasty compared with traditional suture method. METHODS 56 patients (56 eyes) undergoing optical penetrating keratoplasty were divided into two groups. The experimental group (28 cases) underwent non-torque pattern double running suture technique, and the control group (28 cases) underwent interrupted suture. All participants were followed up at 2 weeks, 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal curvature change and astigmatism change were observed and compared between the two groups, and corneal topographer was used to measure refractive change. RESULTS BCVA in experimental group was significantly improved (P<0.05); the corneal topographer showed that astigmatism in experimental group was significantly lower than that in control group at the early postoperative phase (P<0.001). Six months later postoperatively, astigmatism gap between the two groups was narrowed, but the differences were still statistically significant (P<0.001). Twelve months later, astigmatism in the experimental group was similar to six months ago, but astigmatism in control group reduced significantly. No significant difference in astigmatism was observed between two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Non-torque pattern double running suture technique for optical penetrating keratoplasty can achieve the BCVA at the very early phase, with stable postoperative refractive status. This novel suture method is accurate and safe with elegant appearance.