Pericardial patch grafts in glaucoma implant surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The authors determine the safety and effectiveness of pericardial patch grafts in glaucoma implant surgery.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients who underwent a glaucoma implant procedure with the use of a pericardial patch graft to cover the subconjunctival portion of the tube at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary between September 1, 1995 and June 30, 1996. Charts were assessed for evidence of delle formation, graft rejection, graft-related infection, graft thinning, or tube erosion.


RESULTS
Forty-four eyes of 44 patients were enrolled. Mean follow-up was 10.2 +/- 4.0 months (range, 2.3 to 18.6 months). Infection, tube erosion, graft rejection, and graft-related inflammation did not occur. Five eyes were noted to have asymptomatic thinning of the patch without evidence of tube erosion.


CONCLUSIONS
Preserved human cadaveric pericardial patch grafts appear to be well-tolerated for use with glaucoma drainage devices. As with other grafting material, potential for graft thinning is possible and further long-term experience is needed.
Raviv
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, NY 10003, USA.
Greenfield
D S
DS
Liebmann
J M
JM
Sidoti
P A
PA
Ishikawa
H
H
Ritch
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D018463:Filtering Surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium / Q000637:transplantation*; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome