{
  "abstract": "Purpose To conduct a retrospective data analysis on the quality parameters of human corneas stored either in hypothermic storage (2–8°C, up to 14 days) or organ culture (28–37°C, up to 28 days) at Eye bank of Rome (EBR).Methods A total of 632 corneas stored and processed at the EBR and transplanted at the San Giovanni Addolorata Hospital between January 2020 and July 2022 were included in the study. The corneas were divided into two groups: organ cultured corneas (OC; n=540) and corneas in hypothermic storage (HS; n=92). After procurement, all corneas were shipped to the eye bank in Corneal Chamber cold storage media (AL.CHI.MI.A. S.R.L., Italy) at 2–8°C. Corneas in the OC group were then transferred in Tissue-C (AL.CHI.MI.A. S.R.L., Italy) and organ-cultured at 31°C for up to 28 days, and then transferred to the deswelling medium Carry-C (AL.CHI.MI.A. S.R.L., Italy) at 32°C for 24 h prior to graft preparation (for DSAEK and DMEK) or shipment at room temperature to the operation room (PK, DALK). HS corneas were stored in Corneal Chamber at 2–8°C from procurement until the transport to the operation room. Slit lamp analysis was performed to evaluate the corneal epithelium, stroma, and Descemet membrane (DM). Endothelial cell density (ECD) and morphology (scored 1 to 4, with 1 being lowest and 4 highest) were assessed by light microscopy. Donor age, sex distribution and cadaver time were statistically comparable among groups. Lenticules for DMEK and DSAEK were prepared at the eye bank according to internal procedures, while tissue for PK and DALK were processed directly in the operating room.Results In HS group, the average time of storage in Corneal Chamber was 7.7±2.5 days. The corneas stored under OC conditions had an average time into Corneal Chamber medium of 4.5±3.2 days before being evaluated and transferred in Tissue-C medium at 31°C, in which they remained for 13.3±3.8 days before pre-operative evaluation. Clinically comparable averages of ECD and EC morphology were obtained during cornea examinations in both groups. At slit lamp evaluation, most of the OC corneas (97.7%) showed DM folds due to swelling typical in organ culture, compared to 83.7% in HS corneas. Intact epithelium was more frequently observed in the OC group (90.3%) than in the HS group (59.8%). DMEK and DSAEK grafts were successfully obtained in both groups, and DSAEK graft thickness were statistically comparable (OC: 105±24 μm – n=156; HS: 113±21 μm – n=35). No complications were reported with all transplanted corneas from both groups 24 hours after surgery.Conclusions Hypothermic storage and corneal organ-culture at 31°C are successfully used as alternative methods of corneal preservation at the Rome Eye Bank, considering operational differences due to different storage times and temperatures. Both strategies allowed successful lamellar graft preparations and were used in different types of keratoplasty (PK, DALK, DSAEK, DMEK) with no reported intraoperative complication. In conclusion, the two storage methods allow greater flexibility in optimal corneal storage to better meet clinical needs.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Ophthalmology Unit. Department of Experimental Medicine. University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Giacinta Buffon"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "San Giovanni Addolorata Hospital. Ophthalmology Unit – Eye Bank of Rome, Rome, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Rossella Colabelli Gisoldi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Giulio Pocobelli"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "San Giovanni Addolorata Hospital. Ophthalmology Unit – Eye Bank of Rome, Rome, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Fabio Scarinci"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "San Giovanni Addolorata Hospital. Ophthalmology Unit – Eye Bank of Rome, Rome, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Gemma Lodato"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "San Giovanni Addolorata Hospital. Ophthalmology Unit – Eye Bank of Rome, Rome, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Augusto Pocobelli"
    }
  ],
  "title": "2.1. Organ culture and hypothermic corneal preservation methods: the experience of the Rome eye bank",
  "uid": "3b9db864-6462-54b3-8a9c-d948ee08b370"
}