PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcomes using 20% @entity9809 ( @entity13102 ) versus 100% air as a tamponade for graft attachment in Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative, interventional case series. @entity1 : Pseudophakic @entity1 with @entity13189 or @entity2372 that underwent DMEK using either 20% SF6 (group 1; 42 eyes) or 100% air (group 2; 39 eyes) tamponade between April 2010 and August  2011. METHODS: A bimanual infusion technique was used to introduce and position the donor endothelium-Descemet membrane graft tissue. Outcome measures were analyzed at the following time points: before surgery, 3 and 6 months after surgery, and at yearly intervals up to at least 3 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refraction, pachymetry, central endothelial cell count (cECC), complications, and rebubbling rates. RESULTS: Three years after surgery, mean CDVA improved from 0.48  0.45 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) to 0.04  0.23 in group 1 (P < 0.001) and from 0.67  0.45 logMAR to 0.09  0.13 logMAR in group 2 (P < 0.001). The percentage of eyes with CDVA of 20/25 or more was 85.71% (36/42 eyes) in group 1 and 82.05% (32/39 eyes) in group 2 (P  = 0.43). Mean preoperative cECCs and at last follow-up were: group 1, 2525  338 cells/mm(2) and 1758    398 cells/mm(2) (mean cell loss, 30  11%; P  = 0.008); and group 2, 2492  204 cells/mm(2) and 1678  373 cells/mm(2) (mean cell loss, 32  13%; P  = 0.008). Endothelial cell loss was similar in both groups (P  = 0.65). Intracameral air reinjection was needed in 1 @entity1 in group 1 (2.38%) and in 5 @entity1 in group 2 (12.8%). The rebubbling rate was significantly higher in group 2 (P  = 0.004). No episodes of immunologic graft rejection were documented. CONCLUSIONS: Although clinical outcomes and corneal endothelial cell loss were similar in both groups, tamponade with 20% SF6 yielded a significantly lower incidence of graft detachments that may warrant its routine use in DMEK. Longer-term, randomized studies are needed to recommend this approach fully.

Comparison of XXXX 20% versus Air Tamponade in Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient', 'PARTICIPANTS'] @entity2372 :: ('MESH:C562399', 'Disease') :: ['pseudophakic bullous keratopathy'] @entity9809 :: ('MESH:D013459', 'Chemical') :: ['sulfur hexafluoride'] @entity13102 :: ('CHEBI:30496', 'Chemical') :: ['SF6'] @entity13189 :: ('MESH:D005642', 'Disease') :: ["Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy"]
@entity9809 :: (MESH:D013459,Chemical) :: ['Sulfur Hexafluoride']
