title: Efficacy of long scleral tunnel technique in preventing Ahmed glaucoma valve tube exposure through conjunctiva.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of long scleral tunnel technique used in Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in preventing tube exposure through conjunctiva.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients of adult age, who were unresponsive to maximum medical treatment and underwent AGV implantation, were divided into two groups and investigated retrospectively. Group 1 consisted of 40 eyes of 38 patients that underwent surgery by long scleral tunnel technique and Group 2 consisted of 38 eyes of 35 patients that underwent implantation by processed pericardium patch graft method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 54.8 ± 14.6 years (range 26-68 years) and the mean follow-up duration was 46.7 ± 19.4 months (range 18-76 months) for the patients in Group 1, whereas the mean age was 58.6 ± 16.7 years (range 32-74 years) and mean follow-up period was 43.6 ± 15.7 months (range 20-72 months) for the patients in Group 2 (p > 0.05). In the course of follow-up, tube exposure was detected in one (2.5%) eye in Group 1 and in three (7.9%) eyes in Group 2 (p = 0.042).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long scleral tunnel technique is beneficial in preventing conjunctival tube exposure in AGV implantation surgery.
authors: Dr. Lutfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital, Eye Clinic , Istanbul , Turkey .
authors: Suleyman
authors: S
authors: Kugu
authors: Gurkan
authors: G
authors: Erdogan
authors: M Sahin
authors: MS
authors: Sevim
authors: Yusuf
authors: Y
authors: Ozerturk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000601:surgery*; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012590:Sclera / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques
keywords: Ahmed glaucoma valve; glaucoma drainage device; pericardium patch graft; scleral tunnel; tube exposure