The Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) Wave Maneuver

A novel technique for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) graft handling and centration without the endothelium touching the posterior part of the anterior chamber (AC), is presented here. It is particularly suitable for vitrectomized eyes, deep AC, and AC intraocular lenses (ACIOLs), potentially reducing surgery time and endothelial cell loss during surgery. This retrospective interventional case series includes 27 eyes with complex ocular pathology. All utilized a Wave maneuver to center an early elevated graft without completing graft centration on the bottom of the AC. Successful graft attachment and centration were evaluated intra and post-operatively. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central corneal thickness (CCT), and donor endothelial cell density (ECD) were measured pre-operatively, and three and six months post-operatively. DMEK grafts were successfully attached and centered in all cases. No maneuver-related complications were observed intraoperatively. BCVA improved from a pre-operative 0.2 +/- 0.63, to 0.43 +/- 0.49 and 0.76 +/- 0.51 at the three- and six-month follow-ups, respectively (p < 0.01). CCT decreased from a pre-operative 742 +/- 118, to 546 +/- 87 and 512 +/- 67 at three and six months, respectively (p < 0.01). ECD decreased from 2878 +/- 419 cells/mm(2) to 1153 +/- 466 cells/mm(2) at three and six months, respectively (p < 0.01). The Wave maneuver may be very beneficial in DMEK cases where the AC is either very deep or the bottom of the AC is compromised. The Wave maneuver learning curve was brief.

Automated summary

A novel technique for handling and centration of DMEK grafts is presented, which can reduce surgery time and endothelial cell loss. The technique was successfully used in 27 cases with complex ocular pathology, resulting in improved visual acuity and decreased central corneal thickness post-operatively.