Long term results and complications of trabeculectomy augmented with low dose mitomycin C in patients at risk for filtration failure.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the results and complications up to 5 years after trabeculectomy with 0.02% mitomycin C (MMC) in glaucoma patients at risk for failure of filtration surgery.


METHODS
A consecutive series of 21 eyes from 20 patients who underwent trabeculectomy with MMC 0.02%, with an exposure time of 2 minutes, was retrospectively analysed and the results were compared with previously published data.


RESULTS
The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 28 mm Hg on an average of 2.8 glaucoma medications, and the mean postoperative IOP after 3 years was 14 mm Hg on an average of 0.4 medications. Three years after trabeculectomy, 17 of 21 (80.9%) eyes had an IOP of less than 21 mm Hg without medical treatment. Using Kaplan-Meier life table analysis the 5 year probability of an IOP less than 21 mm Hg without medication was 67% and with medication was 90%. Two patients required further glaucoma surgery during the first postoperative year, and another developed hypotonous maculopathy which was reversed after bleb revision. Seven patients developed visually significant cataract as a late consequence of the surgery. There were no bleb related infections.


CONCLUSIONS
In the long term MMC 0.02% used for 2 minutes intraoperatively is an effective adjunctive treatment in glaucoma patients at risk for bleb failure and in this dose is associated with few complications.
Casson
R
R
Oxford Eye Hospital, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6HE, UK.
Rahman
R
R
Salmon
J F
JF
D000368:Aged; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008266:Macula Lutea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; D016685:Mitomycin