[Needle revision of late failing filtering blebs after glaucoma surgery].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the results of bleb needling in eyes subjected to filtering surgery six months or more previously.


METHODS
A retrospective study of 23 eyes in 21 patients subjected to bleb needling performed by means of a 25G needle, 6 months to 23 years after failed filtering surgery (mean 67.3 months). The mean number of bleb needlings was 1.2 and the mean number of 5-fluorouracil subconjunctival injections was 3.9.


RESULTS
The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) before needling was 26 mmHg and the mean anti-glaucoma medications was 1.3 per eye. The mean postoperative IOP was 16.3 mmHg and mean anti-glaucoma medications 0.7. A diffuse filtering bleb was evident in 12 eyes (54.5%). The results of needling were worse in eyes subjected to previous surgery for glaucoma or other failed bleb needling procedures (75% failure).


CONCLUSIONS
Needle revision of the filtering bleb is a simple and safe technique that offers good results even years after a filtering surgery had been performed. It should be considered before other medical or surgical treatments in patients with a previously functioning bleb and a permeable sclerectomy site at gonioscopy.
Perucho-Martínez
S
S
Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, C/Cabo San Vicente 10, 28924 Madrid, Spain. sperucho@ya.com
Gutiérrez-Díaz
E
E
Montero-Rodríguez
M
M
Mencía-Gutiérrez
E
E
Lago-Llinás
M D
MD
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D018463:Filtering Surgery; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007267:Injections; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D005472:Fluorouracil