Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation experience at King Hussein Medical Centre

To evaluate Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation at King Hussein Medical Center. Indications, outcomes, and complications were investigated. The medical records of all patients who had Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implant surgery at King Hussein Medical Center during the period between August 2006 and January 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 50 cases were enrolled in this study. A specially designed medical record abstract form was used to collect the following data: type of glaucoma, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, number of medications, and postoperative complications. Simple descriptive statistics [frequency, mean, percentage] were used to describe the study variables. The mean age of patients was 54.3 +/- 2.1 years [range 1.3 to 79.9 years]. Types of glaucoma included uveitic glaucoma, paediatric glaucoma, aphakic/ pseudophakic glaucoma, neo-vascular glaucoma, traumatic glaucoma and previous failed trabeculectomy. The mean follow-up duration was 16.6 +/- 1.7 months [range 9.8 months to 26.1 months]. The mean intraocular pressure before surgery was 28.6 mm and 14.2 mmHg after surgery. The mean number of eye drops used by patient was 3.8 +/- 0.4 [range 1 to 4] and 1.1 +/- 0.2 [range 0 to 3] before and after surgery respectively. Transient postoperative hypotony with shallow anterior chamber occurred in 8 patients. Encapsulated bleb occurred in 5 patients. Revision of the procedure was performed in 3 cases. Endophthalmitis was not encountered in our series. Results of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation surgery at King Hussein Medical Center showed that it is safe and effective procedure for treating refractory glaucomas

Suture-related complications after penetrating keratoplasty at King Hussein Medical Center

To study suture related complications after penetrating Keratoplasty and their role in the success of corneal graft surgery, and to define postoperative management outlines. The descriptive study was conducted on patients who underwent penetrating Keratoplasty at King Hussein Medical Center in Amman, Jordan between March 2005 and February 2009. It included 75 patients, they were followed for suture related complications during their routine visits, the clinical findings recorded at follow up visits included epithelial erosions around sutures, sterile infiltrates, infectious keratitis, loose or broken sutures, and wound dehiscence after suture removal. Spontaneous loosening or breakage of sutures occurred in 12 patients [16%], at an average of 7 months post surgery. Suture related abscesses were seen in 4 patients [5.3%] at an average of 14 months. Sterile infiltrates were seen in 10 patients [13.3%] at an average of 6 months. Suture erosions over the nylon sutures were found in 6 patients [8%] at an average of 10 months, while four patients [5.3%] presented with broken sutures and leaking wound at an average of 10 months. Proper postoperative care is important for a successful penetrating keratoplasty. Suture related complications frequently occur after penetrating keratoplasty. Prompt and proper management is essential and will result in earlier visual rehabilitation and greater long-term graft survival