Trabeculectomy with releasable sutures: a prospective, randomized pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the short-term and long-term efficacy of using releasable sutures vs conventional interrupted sutures for scleral flap suturing in trabeculectomy.


METHODS
A prospective randomized study.


METHODS
A university-affiliated referral eye hospital.


METHODS
Thirty consecutive patients requiring trabeculectomy for uncontrolled primary glaucoma.


METHODS
Fifteen patients underwent trabeculectomy with permanent interrupted sutures; the same number underwent trabeculectomy with releasable sutures.


METHODS
Incidence of short-term shallowing of anterior chamber or hypotony and related complications, and long-term intraocular pressure control and bleb score.


RESULTS
The mean percentage reduction in intraocular pressure on day 1 in the group with releasable sutures was 55.2%, while only a 0.8% reduction in anterior chamber depth was noted. This compared with figures of 59.3% and 10.1%, respectively, in the group without releasable sutures. Hypotony (intraocular pressure < or =6 mm Hg) was noted in 8 (53%) of cases without releasable sutures and 3 (20%) of cases with releasable sutures. Shallow anterior chamber (central anterior chamber depth, < or =1 mm) was noted in 5 (33%) of cases without releasable sutures and 1 (7%) of cases with releasable sutures. The mean +/- SD final bleb score was 5.4 +/- 0.3 in the group with releasable sutures compared with 4.2 +/- 0.6 in the group without releasable sutures (P<.001). The mean +/- SD final intraocular pressure at the end of 12 months was 16.9 +/- 1.2 mm Hg in the group without releasable sutures and 15.0 +/- 0.9 mm Hg in the group with releasable sutures (P<.001). Final intraocular pressure was controlled (intraocular pressure < or =21 mm Hg) in all patients in the group with releasable sutures, giving a success rate of 100%, and in 12 patients in the group without releasable sutures, giving a success rate of 80%.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of releasable sutures is an effective way at no extra cost or instrumentation to maximize the long-term bleb score and lower intraocular pressure, and to minimize the short-term complications of trabeculectomy.
Raina
U K
UK
Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India. vraina@del2.vsnl.net.in
Tuli
D
D
D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015812:Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / Q000601:surgery*; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome