Safe trabeculectomy technique: long term outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the long term outcome of a new trabeculectomy technique.


METHODS
Trabeculectomy was performed using a fornix based conjunctival flap, an anterior chamber maintainer, a standardised punch technique, and a combination of adjustable and releasable sutures in 56 eyes of 53 patients. The main outcome measures were the postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and the frequency of early postoperative complications. The mean follow up time was 15.7 (range 12-21) months.


RESULTS
The mean preoperative and postoperative IOP at 12 months were 21.2 (SD 6) and 12.8 (3.0) mm Hg, respectively. All patients had an IOP of <21 mm Hg, 90.9% had an IOP <18 mm Hg, and 61.4% had an IOP <14 mm Hg. Postoperative complications were infrequent: flat anterior chamber (1.8%), bleb leakage (0%), or hypotony (1.5%) beyond 3 weeks, or choroidal detachment at any time point (8.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
This novel trabeculectomy method offers the possibility to tailor the IOP postoperatively with a minimum of postoperative complications and excellent IOP control at the long term follow up.
Stalmans
I
I
Ophthalmology Department, University Hospital, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Gillis
A
A
Lafaut
A-S
AS
Zeyen
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity