Impact of transportation on short-term preserved corneas preserved in Optisol-GS, Likorol, Likorol-DX, and MK-medium.

PURPOSE

To investigate the impact of transportation, simulated under laboratory conditions, on the corneal endothelium preserved by Optisol-GS, Likorol-DX, Likorol, and MK-Medium.

METHODS

Three hundred twenty corneas from freshly slaughtered pigs were stored in Optisol-GS. Likorol-DX, Likorol. and MK-Medium for 1, 3, 6, or 10 days. After short-term preservation, the transportation was simulated on a laboratory shaker at 4 degrees C with an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 16 seconds for 5 hours. Mate corneas served as the control. Corneal endothelial cell density was determined at the time of dissection, directly before the experiment, and after subsequent organ culture.

RESULTS

A significant cell loss induced by transportation simulation was not observed in any experimental group. Preservation in MK-Medium starting at 3 days of short-term preservation resulted in a significant cell loss. Storage for up to 6 days in Optisol-GS, Likorol-DX, and Likorol did not result in a significant decrease in cell density.

CONCLUSION

Short-term preserved corneas can be routinely distributed without a reevaluation, if the tissue is preserved for a shorter time as recommended by the manufacturers.