Fornix-based trabeculectomy using the 'anchoring' corneal suture technique.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the safety and efficacy of fornix-based tra-beculectomy with the 'anchoring' corneal suture technique in Chinese patients.


METHODS
A retrospective non-comparative case series of 66 eyes of 63 Chinese patients who underwent fornix-based trabeculectomy combined with intraoperative mitomycin C (MMC) 0.4 mg/mL for 2-5 min were studied. Conjunctival wound closure of all eyes was with the anchoring corneal suture technique using a 9-0 nylon suture to prevent leakage at the corneolimbal interface. The success rate, with or without anti-glaucoma medication, the complication rate and the longevity of the drainage blebs were analyzed.


RESULTS
At a mean follow-up period of 447.36 +/- 337.98 days, the mean intraocular pressure decreased from 26.83 +/- 7.90 mmHg to 17.74 +/- 8.74 mmHg (P < 0.001). The mean glaucoma medication decreased from 2.95 +/- 0.98 preoperatively to 1.23 +/- 1.41 postoperatively (P < 0.001). Thirty-one eyes (47.0%) required no anti-glaucoma medication postoperatively. Twenty eyes (30.3%) had qualified success postoperatively. Eight eyes (12.1%) had early wound leakage that resolved with conservative treatment. Three eyes (4.5%) required surgical repair. One eye (1.5%) had hypotonous maculopathy. No other major complications were encountered.


CONCLUSIONS
Fornix-based trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin C employing the anchoring corneal suture technique appears to be both safe and effective in Chinese patients.
Ng
Philip W C
PW
Hospital Authority Ophthalmic Services, Hong Kong Eye Hospital, and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
Yeung
Barry Y M
BY
Yick
Doris W F
DW
Tsang
Chi-wai
CW
Lam
Dennis S C
DS
D000328:Adult; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044466:Asian People; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000601:surgery; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000208:ethnology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D016685:Mitomycin