Releasable suture technique.
OBJECTIVE
Releasable scleral flap sutures have been effectively used with trabeculectomy to provide a safer postoperative course. This review will assess the indications for using releasable sutures, with the consideration of their advantages and disadvantages, after trabeculectomy.


METHODS
A review of the literature provided the most common releasable suture techniques.


RESULTS
Releasable scleral flap sutures reduce the incidence of complications of early postoperative overfiltration after trabeculectomy. As a result, there are fewer cases that might require reformation of the anterior chamber and drainage of suprachoroidal fluid. In contrast to performing laser suture lysis; there is no need for a laser, suture visibility under the conjunctiva is irrelevant, and no contact lens is required.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of releasable scleral flap sutures in guarded filtration surgery safely provides an effective and simple way of titrating intraocular pressure postoperatively. It allows the transition from a relatively low flow state to a higher rate of subconjunctival filtration to achieve a satisfactory long-term outcome of glaucoma surgery.
de Barros
Daniela S Monteiro
DS
Glaucoma Department, Wills Eye Institute, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Gheith
Moataz E
ME
Siam
Ghada A
GA
Katz
L Jay
LJ
D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D012590:Sclera / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000379:methods*