The Effects of Mitomycin C on Anterior Chamber Tube Shunt to a Surgical Membrane Surgery in Rabbits

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the effects of mitomycin C(MMC) on the fibrous capsule of the anterior chamber tube shunt to a surgical membrane(ACTSSM) surgery, 0.04% MMC solution was applied on the episclera for 5 minutes before ACTSSM surgery(group A, 9 rabbits). At postoperative 2, 4 and 8 weeks, 6 eyes of the 3 rabbits from each group were enucleated and light microscopic examinations of the fibrous capsules were done. In group A, fibrous capsules had many microcystic spaces and fibrous tissues between twofold surgical membranes were scanty. But in control group(group B, 9 rabbits), fibrous capsules showed higher density of fibroblast and less microcystic spaces than group A, suggesting low permeability of the fibrous capsule to aqueous humor. These results suggest that MMC may increase the success rate of the ACTSSM surgery.