The Effectiveness of Surface Area Extension with Pericardial Membrane in Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implant Surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of surface area extension with pericardial membrane on the hypertensive phase and surgical success in Ahmed glaucoma valve implant surgery. METHODS: This prospective study included 10 eyes of 8 patients who underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve implant surgery with pericardial membrane(Preclude(R)) which were designed to have surface area of 300 mm2 (Group I) and 10 eyes of 9 patients who underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve implant surgery without surface area extension (Group II). The mean follow-up was 11.5+/-5.1 months and 14.9+/-4.3 months for the group I and group II, respectively. RESULTS: Two eyes (20%) exhibited hypertensive phase in group I and 8 eyes (80%) in group II (p=0.007). The complete success rate was 90% in group I and 70% in group II (p=0.291). The mean number of preoperative antiglaucoma medication was 2.4+/-0.5 and 1.9+/-0.3 for the group I and group II, respectively, and the mean number of postoperative antiglaucoma medication was 0.1+/-0.3 and 0.4+/-0.7 for the group I and group II, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Surface area extension with pericardial membrane (Preclude(R)) in Ahmed glaucoma valve implant surgery affords statistically significantly lower hypertensive phase rate and trends toward high complete success rate and less number of postoperative antiglaucoma medications.