[Anterior chamber migration of Supramid tube from short Krupin valves after more than 13 years of implantation. Two case reports].
BACKGROUND
In 2004, the authors had to remove two short Krupin valves because the Supramid tube of these valves implanted 13 years previously had migrated into the anterior chamber.


METHODS
The first case was treated in April 2004, the second in November 2004. These valves had been implanted in January 1991 and August 1983 respectively; both because of insufficient, intense general and local medical treatments for vascular glaucoma: post-traumatic for one and neovascular glaucoma after central retinal vein occlusion for the other.


RESULTS
In 2004 in each case, the authors performed the extraction, with Healon, of the Supramid tube that had migrated into the anterior chamber and the dissection of the previous scleral flap, which allowed them to uncover and extract the Silastic scleral tube whose split distal end continued to allow seepage of aqueous humour. The two lateral Supramid arms used to stitch the valve were also removed. The two valves were replaced with a Molteno glaucoma drainage implant. Follow-up was simple.


CONCLUSIONS
Since February 1981, several Krupin valves, first short, then long, were placed in the Ophthalmic Ward of the Villeneuve St Georges Hospital in France. The authors discuss their structure and evolution. The design of these valves, at first made of two different materials (an intracameral Supramid tube followed by a intrascleral Silastic tube) evolved toward a draining tube made from the same material for its entire length, preventing the disconnection of the two tubes. A literature review retraces the history of the device and the modifications over time.


CONCLUSIONS
These old Krupin valves have stabilized the IOP for several years in numerous glaucoma patients who did not respond to intense medical treatments. Their dual-material concept was redesigned in favor of a single tube that could no longer become a mobile intraocular foreign body.
Forestier
F
F
Service d'Ophtalmologie, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal, Villeneuve-Saint-Georges.
Bendeddouche
K
K
Abid
S
S
Salvanet-Bouccara
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000867:Anterior Chamber; D020878:Device Removal; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000601:surgery*; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013997:Time Factors