RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To report the results of penetrating keratoplasty performed by residents. METHOD: A retrospective medical record review of all patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty performed by residents at our institution from April 1998 to April 2002. RESULTS: Forty penetrating keratoplasty procedures were performed by 8 residents. The most common indication was keratoconus (17 eyes [43%]), followed by corneal scarring (14 eyes [35%]). Mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/250. No intraoperative complications were reported. Mean follow-up time was 15 months. Postoperatively, mean best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40, mean postoperative astigmatism was 3.4 +/- 2.1 diopters, and graft survival was 92.5%. Postoperative complications included elevated intraocular pressure, wound dehiscence, and endophthalmitis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best-corrected visual acuity, postoperative astigmatism, graft survival, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Residents can be introduced to penetrating keratoplasty and achieve surgical success with intraoperative and postoperative complication rates similar to those previously published.
