[Clinical results of fornix-based trabeculectomy with a scleral tunnel].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate retrospectivery the efficacy and safety of fornix-based trabeculectomy with a scleral tunnel.


METHODS
We studied the records of 204 eyes of 156 patients who underwent fornix-based trabeculectomy with mitomycin C as their primary surgery between 2000 and 2002 and had a follow-up period of 6 months or more. A 3.5 or 4 mm rectangular double scleral flap incision was made and a scleral tunnel was fashioned by removing the second flap to allow the aqueous to flow into the fornix side.


RESULTS
The mean intraocular pressure was significantly decreased from 22.2 +/- 7.8 (mean +/- standard deviation) mmHg to 12.4 +/- 3.9 mmHg 2 years after surgery (p < 0.0001). When the target pressure was defined as 15 mmHg, the 2-year survival rate using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was 69.1 %. Early wound leakages occurred in 16 eyes (7.8%) and additional sutures were needed on 13 eyes. The visual acuity of 22 eyes (11.0%) decreased by at least 2 lines.


CONCLUSIONS
Although there are some complications specific to trabeculectomy, fornix-based trabeculectomy with a scleral tunnel appears to be an effective method of decreasing intraocular pressure.
Kano
Kiyoshi
K
Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka Koseinenkin Hospital, Japan.
Kuwayama
Yasuaki
Y
Mizunoya
Hiroyuki
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D014792:Visual Acuity
D016685:Mitomycin