POSTERIOR DISLOCATION OF POSTERIOR LAMELLAR CORNEAL GRAFT WITH VIABLE ENDOTHELIAL CELLS.
Rachel N Israilevich, Ashlie A Bernhisel, Jorge Trejo-Lopez et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A middle-aged man with prior traumatic eye injury and pars plana vitrectomy, lensectomy, and scleral-sutured intraocular lens fixation developed corneal edema requiring Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). During surgery, the posterior lamellar graft was lost into the posterior segment. It was retrieved surgically 1 week later, and histopathology showed viable endothelial cells. A new graft was placed successfully and remained attached; visual acuity was 20/80 at 3 months.
What made this case unusual
The retrieved DSAEK graft had viable endothelial cells after 1 week in the vitreous cavity, an unexpected finding in a posteriorly dislocated graft.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
A posteriorly dislocated DSAEK graft may retain viable endothelial cells after prompt retrieval; histopathologic examination can document viability and inform consideration of graft reuse.