Keratoprosthesis surgery: Eastern European and Russian devices

Abstract

Purpose To present the development and current status of keratoprosthesis surgery in Eastern Europe. Methods Collection of data from coauthors and other surgeons involved in k‐pro surgery. Results Large numbers of surgeries were performed in Filatov's Institute in Odessa (Ukraine), where over 1000 different types of devices developed by Puchkovskaya, Yakimienko and Golubenko were imlanted since 1966. The last model, s.c. "universal separable device" was implanted in over 750 with the best results (extrusion occured in about 2.5% cases). K‐pro devices in Russia were mostly developed by S. Fyodorov Z. Moroz, V. Zuyev, ?. Krasnov, V. Volkov, R. Gundorova, N. Ushakov and V. Bedilo. Over 1500 surgeries sine 1969 resulted in the visual aquity improvement in 94% of cases. Haptics were made of titanium, stainless steel and also biocompatible materials (xenopericardium). In Poland about 100 surgeries were performed using mostly Russian and Ukrainian devices. The results were less favorable than in countries of origin. Small numbers were also implanted in other East European states. Conclusion In former Soviet Union keratoprosthesis surgery was well developed in selected centers (Moscow, Odessa). Surgeons in these places have gained extraordinary experience performing hundredes of surgeries. The results presented by the authors were excellent, however they were less favorable in the hands of surgeons from other countries.