OBJECTIVE: To assess the nursing contributions that reduce rejection rates of corneal transplants in Sergipe. METHODS: A retrospective, exploratory study was conducted of quantitative corneal donor and recipient records, between the years of 2003 - 2008, at the Notification Center, Organ Procurement and Distribution of Sergipe (CNCDO-SE). RESULTS: We analyzed 350 harvested organs, 309 transplants, 185 donors and 39 rejections. Of the corneas harvested by nurses, 83.73% were usable, 15.44% were discarded, and 6.50% were rejected. A review of corneal harvests by other professionals found 72.72% were usable, 27.27% were discarded and 13.65% were rejected. CONCLUSION: The cornea harvested by nurses had fewer rejections and increased chance of positive outcomes. Recipient and donor variables were not found to influence the rejection.
Eye banks; Corneal transplantation; Graft rejection
