Full- versus partial-thickness sutures: experimental models of corneal injury repair

• Published in: International ophthalmology 2021, Vol.41 (1), p.325-334
• Main Authors: Dalma-Weiszhausz, José, Galván-Chávez, Mauricio, Guinto-Arcos, Ethel Beatriz, Miyake-Martínez, Daniel Yoshiro, Rodríguez-Reyes, Abelardo, Golzarri, Maria F., Sebastián-Arellano, Christian, Dávila-Ávila, Ned Merari, Ríos-Elizondo, Carlos Eduardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal models; Collagen; Complications; Cornea; Correlation analysis; Domestic animals; Edema; Eye (anatomy); Fibers; Histopathology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Membranes; Ophthalmology; Original Paper; Repair; Sutures; Swine; Thickness; Vascularization; Wounds
• ISSN: 0165-5701; 1573-2630
• DOI: 10.1007/s10792-020-01585-0

Purpose To evaluate the performance of full-thickness (FT) versus partial-thickness (PT) sutures in a full-thickness corneal wound in an animal model. Methods This is a prospective, experimental, comparative, longitudinal study. A 6-mm linear, full-thickness corneal incision was performed on the right eye of eight domestic pigs. Eyes were randomly assigned for repair with interrupted PT (80–90% depth) sutures or FT 10-0 nylon sutures. Anterior segment OCT, corneal pachymetry and clinical photographs were obtained 1, 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively. Corneal thickness, depth of suture placement, perilesional edema, coaptation of wound edges and complications were noted. Histopathologic examination was performed at 8 weeks. Results 100% of the eyes with FT sutures developed a linear, less opaque scar. 100% of the eyes with PT developed a dense, opaque stromal scar ( p  = 0.02). Vascularization of the cornea was present in 75% of PT group and 25% in the FT group ( p  = 0.50). As the corneas healed, there was a marked trend toward thicker corneas in the PT group versus FT group with a median difference of − 63 µm at week 1 [median 788 µm vs. 725 µm, ( p  = 0.11)], − 38 µm at week 4, (724 µm vs. 686 µm, ( p  = 0.63)) and − 47 µm median difference at week 8 with (670 µm vs. 623 µm, ( p  = 0.06)). Histopathology showed disorganization of the collagen fibers and the formation of a retrocorneal fibrous membrane in the PT group. Conclusions The FT group presented less corneal edema at week 8 with a more linear and less opaque scar. Histopathology showed a better-organized scar and endothelialization without the formation of a fibrous membrane.