Comparison of needle revision with subconjunctival bevacizumab and 5-fluorouracil injection of failed trabeculectomy blebs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and complications of bevacizumab versus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-augmented bleb needling of failed filtration blebs following trabeculectomy.


METHODS
Twenty-seven eyes of 27 patients with bleb failure were included. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 5-FU or bevacizumab. Needling was performed in the operating room under sterile conditions. After the needling procedure, a viscoelastic material was injected subconjunctivally around the bleb area to avoid the entrance of 5-FU or bevacizumab into the anterior chamber. Bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.1 mL) was injected into 12 eyes and 5-FU injected into 15 eyes subconjunctivally. All of the patients were controlled weekly until a filtration bleb was maintained. Intraocular pressure (IOP), bleb appearance, and complications were noted in each group. Success was defined as absolute if the IOP 21 mmHg or less without any medication or surgical intervention at last visit, and qualified if the IOP 21 mmHg or less with topical antiglaucomatous medications. The patients were followed from 11 to 26 (median, 17) months.


RESULTS
The IOP decreased, from 31.2±3.2 mmHg to 16.1±2.1 mmHg, in the bevacizumab group on the first postoperative day. The IOP was within normal limits in 1 (8.3%) patient without medication and controlled with topical antiglaucomatous drops in 2 (16.7%) patients. The total success rate was 25% at the time of the last visit. Success was not achieved in 9 (75%) eyes. The IOP was 32.0±4.6 mmHg preoperatively and 12.2±2.6 mmHg on the first postoperative day in the 5-FU injected patients. The total success rate was 80%; 8 (53.3%) eyes showed absolute success, whereas 4 (26.7%) eyes showed a qualified success. A statistically significant difference between groups in terms of success rates was observed (P=0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Subconjunctival 5-FU application is a more effective therapy than bevacizumab application for needling procedures in failed trabeculectomy blebs.
Glaucoma Division, Ulucanlar Training and Research Eye Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. tulaysimsek@hotmail.com
Tulay
T
Simsek
Ali B
AB
Cankaya
Ufuk
U
Elgin
D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011677:Punctures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012086:Reoperation; D014130:Trabeculectomy; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D005472:Fluorouracil