Improvements in Surgical Techniques and Suturing in Penetrating Keratoplasty

Penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) is the most common type of tissue transplantation worldwide. Although, more recently, it has been superseded by lamellar corneal transplantation, there is still an important role for PKP. Cases with concomitant corneal stromal and endothelial disease or perforations may still benefit from PKP over lamellar grafts. Different surgical approaches may apply, and also a variety of suturing techniques can be used by corneal surgeons in PKP. These are mainly interrupted stitches, single-running sutures, double-running sutures and combined interrupted stitches with running sutures. Running sutures can be torque or anti-torque.