Características de doadores de córneas segundo o tipo de estabelecimento da enucleação.

Abstract

Introduction: Corneas donated for transplants from cadaveric donors are processed by Human Ocular Tissue Banks (HOTB), where they are analyzed from an anatomical, structural, functional, and serological perspective. Thus, considering that collection may influence the quality of the donated tissue, since it is performed without contamination and with minimal manipulation, it is necessary to analyze the profile of these donors according to the conditions of enucleation collection. Objective: To analyze the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of cornea donors collected for transplantation, according to the establishment in which enucleation occurred during the collection process. Method: This is an observational, cross-sectional, and analytical epidemiological study, based on secondary data from 243 enucleations performed between January and December 2024, recorded by a reference HOTB in the Midwest region of Brazil. Clinical and sociodemographic data of donors and records of enucleation procedures by collection site were collected. The data were statistically analyzed in a descriptive and inferential manner. The protocol of this research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee, according to Certificate of Presentation for Ethical Consideration (CAAE) nº 78098324.3.3002.0134 and Approval Opinion number 7.021.109. Results: Most enucleations occurred in Campo Grande/MS, with predominance in hospitals of the capital (55.6%). The profile of donors was predominantly male (63%) and the main cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest (86%). Bilateral collection was recorded in 98.8% of cases and the outcomes of the corneas varied between optical use, tectonic, training, and discard, when hemolysis was the main cause of unusability (43.9%). No statistically significant association was found between the enucleation establishment and the final classification of the corneas (p>0.05), refuting the hypothesis of a direct relationship between these variables. However, variables such as donor age and type of death showed association with the collection site, suggesting an indirect influence on the quality of ocular tissue. Conclusion: Although the physical environment of enucleation did not directly determine the therapeutic use of the tissue, clinical and logistical factors associated with the collection process deserve attention. The study reinforces the importance of standardizing protocols, training teams, and expanding BTOH coverage in less assisted regions.