title: Pericardium plug in the repair of the corneoscleral fistula after Ahmed Glaucoma Valve explantation.
abstract: We report four cases in which a pericardium (Tutoplast) plug was used to repair a corneoscleral fistula after Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV) explantation. In four cases in which the AGV tube had been exposed, AGV explantation was performed using a pericardium (Tutoplast) plug to seal the defect previously occupied by the tube. After debridement of the fistula, a piece of processed pericardium (Tutoplast), measured 1 mm in width, was plugged into the fistula and secured with two interrupted 10-0 nylon sutures. To control intraocular pressure, a new AGV was implanted elsewhere in case 1, phaco-trabeculectomy was performed concurrently in case 2, cyclophotocoagulation was performed postoperatively in case 3 and anti-glaucomatous medication was added in case 4. No complication related to the fistula developed at the latest follow-up (range: 12-26 months). The pericardium (Tutoplast) plug seems to be an effective method in the repair of corneoscleral fistulas resulting from explantation of glaucoma drainage implants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chungkwon
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Sung Wook
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Yong Yeon
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D020878:Device Removal / Q000009:adverse effects; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D015355:Glaucoma, Neovascular / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium / Q000637:transplantation*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D015422:Scleral Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques