Deep sclerectomy with various implants: an experimental and histopathologic study in a rabbit model.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effectiveness of various implants used in experimental deep sclerectomy and to report tissue reactions developed to these implants histopathologically.


METHODS
Forty eyes of 40 New Zealand white albino rabbits underwent deep sclerectomy with various implants. The rabbits were divided into four groups; each consisted of 10 eyes. Deep sclerectomy was performed using copolymer materials in group 1, silicone materials in group 2 and chromic catgut suture in group 3. No implants were used in the control group (group 4). Clinical and histopathological examinations were performed to investigate the effectiveness of implants.


RESULTS
Mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 14.4 +/- 1.6 mm Hg in group 1, 14.5 +/- 1.8 mm Hg in group 2, 13.8 +/- 1.5 mm Hg in group 3 and 14.5 +/- 1.2 mm Hg in group 4. The final postoperative IOPs were 10.7 +/- 0.9, 10.6 +/- 0.8, 13.5 +/- 1.0, and 14.5 +/- 1.4 mm Hg, respectively. At 2 months, the decrease in IOPs from baseline and the persistence of the filtering bleb were significantly marked in group 1 and group 2 (p < 0.001). Histopathological evaluation revealed that copolymer and silicone materials formed a smooth and regular intrascleral space. There were no foreign body reaction, tissue destruction or fibrosis in group 1 and group 2, but chromic catgut sutures caused severe fibrosis and inflammatory reaction in group 3. Mean histopathologic score of group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 4 was 0.7 +/- 0.5, 0.8 +/- 0.5, 2.4 +/- 0.6, and 0.1 +/- 0.3, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Copolymer or silicone materials may increase the success rate of surgery by maintenance of a large and regular intrascleral space after deep sclerectomy and prevention of collapse of the flap.
Erkiliç
Kuddusi
K
Department of Ophthalmology, Erciyes University Medical Faculty, Kayseri, Turkey.
Ozkiriş
Abdullah
A
Evereklioglu
Cem
C
Kontaş
Olgun
O
Güler
Kubilay
K
Dogan
Hakki
H
D000818:Animals; D002398:Catgut / Q000009:adverse effects; D005355:Fibrosis; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000009:adverse effects; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D011817:Rabbits; D012590:Sclera / Q000473:pathology*; D012599:Sclerostomy; D012826:Silicone Elastomers / Q000009:adverse effects; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*
D008689:Methacrylates; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; C114176:etafilcon