No abstract

(Tables 1 and 2).There was no significant difference between the general population mortality rate and that of the keratoconus sample [x2= 1*59 (males), x2=

Aims/Background-Interrupted corneal sutures are used routinely by many cataract and corneal surgeons. A slim compact knot facilitates burial and allows atraumatic suture removal, with decreased risk of wound dehiscence. The size and morphology of knots tied in different configurations were investigated. Methods-10-0 nylon suture material was used to tie knots on porcine corneal cataract sections using 2/1/1 (reef and granny), 3/1/1, and 1/1/1/1 (slip knot) configurations. 10-0 Mersilene was used to tie 2/1/i reef knots. Scanning electron micrographs of the knots were digitised and their maximal lengths and widths estimated. In addition, the area of each knot was calculated and used as an index of its volume. Results-21111 reef knots were significantly smaller in all dimensions compared with the other knots (all p<0.03) except for the maximal width of 2/i/l granny knots which were no wider than the 2/i/l granny knots. The Mersilene knots were larger than the nylon ones. Conclusion-The use of 2/i/l reef knots is recommended for corneal suturing. (Br_' Ophthalmol 1996; 80: 164-167) Materials and methods Corneal sections were performed on porcine eyes by a single surgeon (CSCL), and sutured using interrupted monofilament sutures. The sutures used were 10-0 nylon (Alcon Laboratories UK, Watford) and 10-0 polyester (Mersilene; Ethicon). The suture knots were then buried into the cornea, cut and removed, and mounted in a similar orientation for scanning electron microscopy. Four different knot configurations with the nylon monofilament were assessed: a 2/1/1 reef (square) knot, a 2/1/1 granny knot, a 3/1/1 reef knot, and a 1/1/1/1 slip knot, and five examples of each type of knot were examined in order to reduce variability. Five knots were tied using the 10-0 Mersilene in a 2/1/1 reef knot configuration.Following scanning electron microscopy, the knot micrographs were digitised on a digitising tablet by a masked observer (WYC) and estimations of their size calculated. For each knot the maximal knot width at 90 degrees to the suture orientation in the cornea, and the maximal length along the suture were measured, as well as knot area. All knots were scanned at the