Trainee glaucoma surgery: experience with trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage devices.
OBJECTIVE
To examine outcomes of trabeculectomy with mitomycin C and glaucoma drainage device placement for uncontrolled glaucoma when performed by resident surgeons.


METHODS
This study included any patient who underwent a trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (n = 93) or a glaucoma drainage device (n = 60) by a resident surgeon between 2001 and 2006. Outcome measures at 3, 6, and 12 months included failure of treatment, number of follow-up appointments, complications, number of medications, and need for further surgery.


RESULTS
One year postoperatively, intraocular pressure averaged 12.1 ± 5.1 mm Hg in the trabeculectomy group and 13.0 ± 5.1 mm Hg in the glaucoma drainage device group (P = .31). Complications occurred in 30% of eyes with trabeculectomy and 10% of eyes with a glaucoma drainage device.


CONCLUSIONS
During the first postoperative year, glaucoma drainage device surgery may have fewer complications and less morbidity than a trabeculectomy with mitomycin C when these surgeries are performed by resident surgeons. Final intraocular pressures were similar between the two groups.
Connor
Michael A
MA
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
Knape
Robert M
RM
Oltmanns
Matthew H
MH
Smith
Mary Fran
MF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education*; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000193:education*; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000193:education*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000477:Alkylating Agents; D016685:Mitomycin