Media Type: Textbook

Synopsis: DSEK surgery has quickly ascended to widespread acceptance as the therapeutic modality of choice for patients with dysfunction of the corneal endothelium. With the near ubiquitous adoption of this procedure has come a renewed interest in this form of endothelial keratoplasty as an alternative to penetrating keratoplasty. A multitude of papers have been published in the past few years on DSEK surgery, however this is the first comprehensive textbook devoted to the subject. DSEK: What You Need to Know About Endothelial Keratoplasty is the cornea surgeon’s handbook to DSEK surgery, a timely and excellent addition to the ophthalmic literature.

Target Audience: Cornea Surgeons.

Review:

Co-Editors Drs. Francis and Marianne Price are leaders in Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK) surgery, responsible for many of the early research and publications wherein this technique was refined and the outcomes reported. They have assembled a group of leaders in cornea and DSEK surgery to assemble the first comprehensive text on DSEK surgery and other emerging techniques in endothelial keratoplasty. This text is intended for cornea surgeons seeking to learn the intricacies of DSEK as well as other eye care practitioners seeking to expand their knowledge of this paradigm-shifting technique.

DSEK: What You Need to Know About Endothelial Keratoplasty is divided into 5 sections and 14 chapters, with a comprehensive review of DSEK including the history of endothelial keratoplasty, evolution of DSEK surgery as it is known today, and a section on Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK), a variation that may replace DSEK in the future. Also included is a section on patient perspective, a comprehensive review on patient selection, intraoperative techniques, management of complications, and thoughts on the use of eye-banked tissue. At the end of the book is a useful section with explanations to frequently asked questions, like “what is the best way to assess intraocular pressure after DSEK?” and “what is the best way to reposition a decentered graft?”

The information provided represents the combined experience of many of the leaders in the field of endothelial keratoplasty, including Dr. Mark Gorovoy, Dr. William Culbertson, Dr. Donald Tan, and Dr. Jod Mehta as well as Drs. Francis and Marianne Price to name a few. This excellent book is highly recommended for all cornea physicians wishing to learn the finer points of DSEK surgery.

Although it hardly represents a weakness of the text, it is prudent to remember that endothelial keratoplasty is a quickly evolving technique and the specific surgical methods may change in the next few years.

In summary, DSEK: What You Need to Know About Endothelial Keratoplasty represents the first, excellent, comprehensive textbook on DSEK surgery presented by prominent leaders in the field. It is a fitting and timely addition to ophthalmic literature. Surgeons experienced in endothelial keratoplasty and those planning to adopt DSEK into their practice would benefit from this comprehensive piece on the history, practice and nuances of DSEK surgery.