Mitomycin C in anterior chamber tube shunt to a surgical membrane

ABSTRACT

To increase the success rate of intraocular pressure control in recalcitrant glaucoma, anterior chamber tube shunt to a surgical membrane (ACTSSM) surgery using silicone tube and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) can be performed. Applying mitomycin C (MMC) during ACTSSM surgery may increase the success rate by decreasing the fibroblast proliferation and collagen in the fibrous capsule. To evaluate the effects of MMC on the fibrous capsule formed after ACTSSM surgery, operations were performed on 18 white rabbits. Nine rabbits were treated with 0.04% MMC solution on the episclera for 5 minutes before ACTSSM (group A) and the others were not treated (group B). At postoperative 2, 4 and 8 weeks successively, 6 eyes of the 3 rabbits were enucleated from each group. Light microscopic examinations were performed after hematoxylin