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Recent advances in trabeculectomy technique.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Trabeculectomy is an effective operation for lowering intraocular pressure. However, success is limited by complications such as infection, hypotony, and scarring. RECENT FINDINGS: These complications, which are increased by antifibrotic use, can be reduced with attention to surgical technique. We highlight the benefit of sub-Tenon anaesthesia, careful choice of the surgical site, fashioning of the scleral flap to produce diffuse aqueous flow, and better intraocular pressure control, maintenance of intraocular pressure, a formed anterior chamber, with outflow control during surgery using an infusion, optimal method of antimetabolites application, new adjustable sutures, and corneal-conjunctival closure techniques. SUMMARY: These techniques reduce hypotony, producing a diffuse noncystic bleb with long-term pressure control.

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Emma Jones, Jonathan Clarke, Peng Tee Khaw. 2005. Recent advances in trabeculectomy technique.. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.icu.0000156138.05323.6f

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Do scleral flap dimensions influence reliability of intraocular pressure control in experimental trabeculectomy?

AIM: To compare the effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) of large vs small scleral flap size during trabeculectomy using adjustable sutures. METHODS: Trabeculectomy operations were performed on nine donor human eyes connected to a constant flow infusion with real-time IOP monitoring. Large scleral flaps (4 x 4 mm, 16 mm(2), n=12) or small scleral flaps (3 x 2 mm, 6 mm(2), n=9) were constructed over 0.76 mm(2) sclerostomies. For each procedure, equilibrium IOP was measured following tight closure with two four-throw adjustable 10-0 nylon sutures. RESULTS: Five scleral flaps were thin or poorly constructed; four of these were in the initial seven procedures, implying learning effect. These had a mean absolute IOP of 7.6 mmHg (range 2.7-12.4 mmHg) and mean relative IOP of 28.3% of baseline (range 10-45.8%) after closure. In the remaining 16 good quality procedures, mean IOP was 1.3 mmHg (range 0-3.4 mmHg) after sclerostomy, confirming minimal outflow resistance before closure. Following flap closure mean IOP was 20 mmHg (SD 4.4, range 15.5-29.3 mmHg) for large (n=8), and 18.7 mmHg (SD 3.6, 15.9-25.8 mmHg) for small (n=8) flaps (unpaired t-test, P=0.26). Mean IOP (% baseline) was 71.6% (SD 8.4, range 60.6-86.6%) and 66% (SD=12.7, 46.8-86.6%) for large and small flap groups, respectively (unpaired t-test, P=0.2). CONCLUSIONS: Well-constructed scleral flaps of both sizes were able to support an average IOP at least two-thirds of baseline, and both had similar absolute IOP levels. Errors in flap construction resulted in loss of IOP control. Smaller flap size does not appear to compromise control of early postoperative IOP using adjustable sutures.

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