Crescentic Autograft-Graft Salvage Technique for Undersized Donor Lenticules in Superficial Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty.

Purpose: To describe the use of crescentic autograft as a graft salvage technique for inadvertently undersized donor lenticules in superficial anterior lamellar keratoplasty (SALK).

Methods: A prospective interventional study included 5 eyes of 4 patients who underwent SALK and had an inadvertently undersized donor lenticule. The described technique involves the preparation of a crescent-shaped graft from the host lenticule itself that is matched to fit into the remaining bare recipient stromal bed.

Results: At 6-week follow-up, the crescentic autograft was uniformly epithelized along with the donor tissue. There were no incidences of graft dehiscence, rejection, or infection.

Conclusions: Crescentic autograft from the host lenticule offers a simple, easy-to perform, and unique technique to manage cases of undersized donor lenticules in SALK with no additional risks.