Stainless steel as suturing material in human- and rabbit corneas: a SEM-study

• Published in: Documenta ophthalmologica Vol. 70; no. 2-3; pp. 145 - 154
• Main Authors: JONGEBLOED, W. L, RIJNEVELD, W. J, CUPERUS, P. L, VAN ANDEL, P, WORST, J. G. F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01-10-1988
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Corneal Transplantation; Descemet Membrane - ultrastructure; Endothelium, Corneal - ultrastructure; Humans; Lenses, Intraocular; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Rabbits; Stainless Steel; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the eye and orbit; Sutures; Wound Healing; Pathology; Scanning electron microscopy; Vertebrata; Cornea; Eye disease; Mammalia; Implanted; Surgery; Artificial lens; Rabbit; Suturation; Lagomorpha
• ISSN: 0012-4486; 1573-2622
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00154447

Stainless steel wire, dia. 50 microns, was used as suturing material in rabbit corneas for periods of 1.5, 3 and 7 months respectively, in order to test its inertness and acceptance by the corneal tissue. One clinical case of stainless steel wire used for fixation of an I.O.L.-implantation, after a 5-year residence in the eye, is reported as well. After 1.5 months' residence, the suture margins were well covered with tissue containing irregularly shaped endothelial cells, some fibroblastic-type cells and various kinds of collagenous fibre material. The buckled surface was partly covered with a very thin membrane of collagenous material, strands of collagenous fibres and a few fibroblastic-type cells. After 3 months' residence the buckle was almost completely covered with an endothelial cell layer. The individual cells had a somewhat irregular hexagonal shape. At a few local sites closure was still progressing, with filopodia and other collagenous matter generated by neighbouring cells on top of previously deposited Descemet's membrane. After 7 months' residence, the buckle was completely covered with normal endothelium. The fixation suture in the human case showed perfect acceptance by the corneal tissue.