Graft-free Ahmed tube insertion: a modified method at 5 mm from limbus.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the medium-term outcome of Ahmed implants inserted through a needle tract at 5 mm from limbus that eliminates the need for a donor scleral graft.


METHODS
A retrospective case series of 19 patients undergoing Ahmed implant surgery for refractory glaucoma with a mean follow-up of 12 months. Primary outcome measures included control of intraocular pressure after surgery. Secondary outcome measure included the frequency of intraoperative and postoperative complications.


RESULTS
Intraocular pressure was maintained between 6 and 21 mmHg throughout the study. There was no postoperative hypotony. There were no complications related to this modified technique.


CONCLUSIONS
Needle tract at 5 mm from limbus maintains implant's ability to control intraocular pressure and eliminates the need for a donor scleral graft or heterologous material.
Mesa-Gutiérrez
Juan Carlos
JC
Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
Lillo-Sopena
Juan
J
Monés-Llivina
Anna
A
Sanz-Moreno
Silvia
S
Arruga-Ginebreda
Jorge
J
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