title: Combined vitrectomy and glaucoma drainage device implantation surgical approach for complex pediatric glaucomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate efficacy of combined vitrectomy with posteriorly placed glaucoma drainage device (GDD) in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of children who underwent vitrectomy with posteriorly placed GDD were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with a minimum of 6 months' follow-up were included. The first eye operated on for each patient was analyzed. Success was defined as IOP of 5-20 mm Hg and no additional IOP-lowering surgery or visually devastating complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 20 patients were included, with the following etiologies: primary infantile-onset glaucoma, 5 (25%); traumatic glaucoma, 3 (15%); Peters anomaly, 3 (15%); microphthalmia, 5 (25%); glaucoma following cataract surgery, 2 (10%); microspherophakia, 1 (5%); and retinopathy of prematurity, 1 (5%). Eyes with corneal opacification (8 [40%]) underwent endoscopic vitrectomy (5 [25%]), concurrent penetrating keratoplasty (3 [15%]) and/or keratoprosthesis surgery (1 [5%]). Mean follow-up was 1.9 ± 1.1 years (range, 6.5-49.2 months). Vision remained stable or improved in 17 eyes (85%). Mean IOP decreased from 27.2 ± 10.1 mm Hg to 14.5 ± 6.8 mm Hg (P < 0.0001) at last follow-up or at failure. Kaplan-Meier curves showed 12- and 24-month rate of IOP control of 69% and 62%, respectively. The number of glaucoma medications decreased from a mean of 2.3 ± 1.4 to 1.3 ± 1.2 (P < 0.015) at last follow-up or at failure. Overall success rate was 65%. Complications included hypotony (3 [15%]), vitreous hemorrhage (1 [5%]), and retinal detachment (1 [5%]). Two eyes (10%) required surgery for hypotony; 4 eyes (20%) underwent additional glaucoma surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined surgical approach with vitrectomy and posteriorly placed GDD decreased IOP in complex pediatric glaucomas. Further, endoscope-assisted vitrectomy is useful in cases with corneal opacification. Complication rates of this combined procedure appear to be comparable to traditional anterior chamber approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozgonul
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: Cagri G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Besirli
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Electronic address: brendabo@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Brenda L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Bohnsack
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020327:Glaucoma Drainage Implants; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods*