title: Improved suture for fornix-based conjunctival flap in filtering surgery.
abstract: Major problems in the early postoperative phase in filtering surgery are hypotony, flattening of the anterior chamber and choroidal detachment. We describe a new suture technique for the closure of the conjunctiva in goniotrephination with a fornix-based conjunctival flap which is helpful in reducing these complications. After dissecting the conjunctiva from the limbus, a shallow groove is cut directly behind the former conjunctival insertion. At the end of the operation the conjunctiva is sutured into this groove using a running 10.0 nylon suture in a meander-like fashion. A very tight wound closure results. We used this technique in 104 consecutive goniotrephinations. We found a low incidence of only mild external fistulation, hypotony, flattening of the anterior chamber and choroidal detachment. Astigmatism induced by the operation was -1.2 +/- 1.2 D, usually with the rule.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grehn
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014130:Trabeculectomy; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014945:Wound Healing