MedEdPORTAL (May 2015)
Development of a Wet Laboratory Curriculum for Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty
Abstract
Abstract Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) is one of the most advanced procedures in lamellar corneal transplantation. One of the barriers to adopting this procedure is the shortage of teaching programs, both in the United States and worldwide. We developed a DMEK teaching curriculum for implementation at established cornea training programs to effectively increase the availability of institutions teaching fellows and faculty to practice this state-of-the-art procedure. The course consists of a module with an Instructor's Guide and content for both a didactic segment and a supervised wet laboratory experience. The course begins with a didactic lecture series that introduces ophthalmologists to DMEK and prepares them for the subsequent wet lab experience. In the lab, participants have an opportunity to practice DMEK tissue preparation, recipient preparation, and graft insertion orientation and adhesion on cadaver globes specially prepared for corneal transplantation. This learning module was developed at the Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan in an effort to expose cornea fellows and senior residents interested in pursuing corneal fellowship to DMEK as a frontline treatment for endothelial dystrophies. Course participants felt the one-on-one experience and use of donor globes and corneal tissue were the most beneficial aspects of the wet lab. They believed the use of human tissue helped simulate surgery on a real patient. Additionally, regarding the didactice segment, they thought that the videos demonstrating techniques and hearing from experienced physicians were valuable. Shortcomings included soft globes requiring repeat inflation with balanced salt solution. Though we do not have data showing the proportion of surgeons who began practicing DMEK, we know that one attendant from our most recent wet lab began performing DMEK. Additionally, our attendants rated 5 (Strongly agree) to the statement “I feel better prepared to practice DMEK on a real patient.”
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