[Ab externo erbium YAG laser sclerostomy versus conventional trabeculectomy. Treatment of glaucoma patients].
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of the Er-YAG laser sclerostomy ab externo versus trabeculectomy in the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma.


METHODS
Twelve patients with POAG underwent ab externo laser sclerostomy using an Er-YAG laser (Sklerostom 2.9; lambda = 2940 nm, t = 200 microseconds, 2 Hz, 400 microns, 15 mJ). Only local medication was used, and there were no risk factors for failure. As a control group 12 patients out of 248 standardized trabeculectomies were matched in terms of age, sex, diagnosis and local medications. No antimetabolites were used in either group.


RESULTS
After a follow-up of 9 months in the sclerostomy group 53%; (7/12; P = 0.03) showed a patent fistula in comparison of 100% in the trabeculectomy group. There was a significantly lower mean IOP during the first postsurgical week in the group of sclerostomies (3.6 +/- 1.5 mmHg versus 7.5 +/- 2.7 mmHg; P = 0.0001) with a higher incidence of choroidal detachments (9/12 versus 2/12; P = 0.004). The choroidal detachments lasted longer in the sclerostomy group (3.5 months versus 0.3 months; P = 0.014). Iris incarcerations were found only in sclerostomies (7/12; P = 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on these findings, Er-YAG laser sclerostomy prooved to be less effective than trabeculectomy in the treatment of glaucoma patients. Er-YAG laser sclerostomies were associated with a higher incidence of postsurgical complications such as hypotony, choroidal detachments and iris incarcerations. At this point Er-YAG laser sclerostomy is not superior to conventional trabeculectomy.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universität Regensburg.
D
D
Spiegel
W
W
Wetzel
R
R
Birngruber
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012599:Sclerostomy; D014130:Trabeculectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Ab externo-Erbium-YAG-Lasersklerostomie versus konventionelle Trabekulektomie. Die Behandlung von Glaukompatienten.