Free conjunctival autologous graft for bleb repair and bleb reduction after trabeculectomy and nonpenetrating filtering surgery.

PURPOSE: To describe methods and outcomes of excisional revision of a filtering bleb (bleb revision) using free conjunctival autologous graft either for bleb repair or for bleb reduction after trabeculectomy and deep sclerectomy with an implant. METHODS: Retrospective medical records were reviewed for a consecutive non-comparative case series comprising patients who underwent excisional revision of a filtering bleb between May 1998-January 2001. Excisional revision using free conjunctival autologous graft (bleb revision) was performed either for bleb repair, to treat early and late leaks and hypotony with maculopathy, or for bleb reduction, to improve ocular pain, discomfort, burning, foreign body sensation, tearing, and fluctuations of visual acuity. The revision consisted of bleb excision and free conjunctival autologous graft. The bleb histopathology was analyzed in patients who underwent bleb repair. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were included in the study, consisting of nine patients who had a trabeculectomy and seven patients who had a deep sclerectomy with an implant. Bleb revision was necessary in 14 patients due to leaking filtering bleb (bleb repair), and in 2 patients due to bleb dysesthesia (bleb reduction). After a follow-up of 15.1 +/- 8.4 months, the mean intraocular pressure (IOP) rose from 7.8 +/- 6.3 mm Hg to 14.3 +/- 6.5 mm Hg, and the visual acuity from 0.4 +/- 0.3 to 0.7 +/- 0.3, with a P value of 0.008 and 0.03, respectively. The complete success rate at 32 months, according to the Kaplan-Meier survival curve, was 38.3%, and the qualified success rate was 83.3%. Four patients (25%) required additional suturing for persistent bleb leak. To control IOP, antiglaucoma medical therapy was needed for six patients (37.5%) and repeated glaucoma surgery was needed for one patient. CONCLUSION: Free conjunctival autologous graft is a safe and successful procedure for bleb repair and bleb reduction. However, patients should be aware of the postoperative possibility of requiring medical or surgical intervention for IOP control after revision.

Nonpenetrating filtering surgery in glaucoma.

Since 1967, trabeculectomy has been the standard drainage operation for most cases of medically uncontrolled glaucoma. It is associated with significant risk of hypotony, hyphema, choroidal effusion or hemorrhage, and bleb failure. Toward the goal of a safer and more reproducible glaucoma filtering surgery, nonperforating filtering surgeries are now performed in primary open-angle glaucoma, normal-pressure glaucoma, and most cases of secondary glaucoma. The site of highest resistance to outflow, the juxtacanalicular trabecular meshwork, is bypassed with avoidance of penetration into the anterior chamber. Different techniques of nonpenetrating filtering surgeries are discussed here.

Deep sclerectomy with collagen implant: medium term results.

AIMS: To study prospectively the success rate and complications of deep sclerectomy with collagen implant (DSCI), a new non-penetrating filtration procedure. METHODS: Non-randomised prospective trial involving consecutive patients. 100 eyes of 100 patients with medically uncontrolled primary and secondary open angle glaucoma. A superficial scleral flap was raised and a deep sclerectomy was performed in the scleral bed. Schlemm's canal was opened and dissection of the cornea was performed up to Descemet's membrane, at which point aqueous percolated through the remaining trabeculo-Descemet's membrane. A collagen implant was sutured radially in the scleral bed. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements, and slit lamp examinations were performed before surgery and after surgery at 1 and 7 days, and 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months. RESULTS: The mean follow up period was 17.8 (SD 8.7) months. The mean preoperative IOP was 27.8 (8.6) mm Hg; the mean postoperative IOP was 5.7 (4.0) at day 1, 11.2 (4.6) at month 1, 14.0 (3.5) at month 12, and 13.0 (3.8) at month 36. Complete success rate, defined as an IOP lower than 21 mm Hg without medication, was 44.6% at 36 months. Qualified success rate, defined as an IOP lower than 21 mm Hg with medication, was 97.7% at 36 months. Early postoperative complications included hyphaema in seven patients, would leak in 10 patients, and subtle choroidal detachment in 11 patients. Goniopuncture was performed in 41 of the patients, and 5-fluorouracil injections were made in 23 patients; cataract progression occurred in seven patients. When comparing the different types of open angle glaucoma, no difference was found in terms of reduction in IOP, number of patients requiring antiglaucoma medications, or success rate. CONCLUSIONS: Deep sclerectomy with collagen implant appears to provide reasonable control of IOP at medium term follow up, with few immediate postoperative complications.

Comparison of deep sclerectomy with collagen implant and trabeculectomy in open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and postoperative complications of deep sclerectomy with collagen implant (DSCI), a nonpenetrating filtration procedure. SETTING: Glaucoma Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland. METHODS: Forty-four eyes of 44 patients with medically uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma had DSCI and a matched control group of 44 patients, trabeculectomy. A superficial scleral flap was raised and a deep sclerectomy performed in the scleral bed. Schlemm's canal was opened, and the cornea was dissected to Descemet's membrane. At that stage, aqueous filtered through the remaining trabeculo-Descemet's membrane. A collagen implant was sutured radially in the scleral bed; the scleral flap and conjunctiva were then closed. Examinations were performed before surgery and postoperatively at 1 and 7 days and 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 14.4 months +/- 6.3 (SD) (range 3 to 24 months). The mean preoperative intraoperative pressure (IOP) was 26.7 +/- 7.3 mm Hg. The mean postoperative IOP was 6.1 +/- 4.5 mm Hg at 1 day and 11.0 +/- 4.4 mm Hg at 1 week; it remained stable for the next 24 months. The success rate, defined as an IOP lower than 21.0 mm Hg without medication, was 69% in the DSCI group and 57% in the trabeculectomy group at 24 months postoperatively (P = .047). The number of postoperative complications was significantly lower in the DSCI group than in the trabeculectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: The success rate of DSCI may be comparable to that of trabeculectomy, with fewer complications.

Combined surgery for cataract and glaucoma: phacoemulsification and deep sclerectomy compared with phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcome of phacoemulsification-intraocular lens (IOL) implantation combined with nonperforating deep sclerectomy (P-DS) with that of phacoemulsification-IOL implantation combined with trabeculectomy (P-T). SETTING: Glaucoma Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland. METHODS: This prospective study involved 60 eyes of 60 patients with cataract and various types of open-angle glaucoma. Thirty eyes had P-DS and 30, P-T. Follow-up was performed at regular intervals for up to 18 months. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 12.5 months +/- 6.5 (SD) and 12.6 +/- 4.9 months for the P-DS and P-T groups, respectively. Mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was similar in both groups (24.8 +/- 5.9 mm Hg in the P-DS group and 24.6 +/- 7.2 mm Hg in the P-T group). There was no statistically significant difference in IOP decrease (14.2 +/- 4.0 mm Hg in the P-DS group and 15.2 +/- 2.8 mm Hg in the P-T group). Visual outcome was similar in both groups. The P-DS group experienced significantly less inflammation (40.0% versus 83.0%; P = .0012) and hyphema (6.7% versus 36.7%; P = .010) than the P-T group. CONCLUSION: Deep sclerectomy combined with cataract surgery resulted in an IOP reduction similar to that with phacotrabeculectomy with the same visual outcome, but the lower complication rate makes ambulatory care easier.

Nd:Yag goniopuncture after deep sclerectomy with collagen implant.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To study the need, the safety and the success rate of Nd:Yag goniopuncture in eyes that underwent deep sclerectomy with collagen implant. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The first 100 patients that underwent deep sclerectomy with collagen implant were prospectively followed. Deep sclerectomy with collagen implant is a non-penetrating filtering surgery which allows filtration of aqueous from the anterior chamber to the subconjunctival space through a remaining trabeculo-Descemet's membrane without opening the anterior chamber. Goniopunctures with Nd:Yag laser were performed at the site of surgery when the filtration through the trabeculo-Descemet's membrane was considered to be insufficient with elevated intraocular pressure. The laser treatment was performed using a Lasag 15 gonioscopy contact lens (CGA1). Goniopunctures were performed using the free-running Q-switched mode with an energy ranging from 2 to 4 mJ. RESULTS: Of 100 patients who underwent deep sclerectomy with collagen implant, goniopunctures with Nd:Yag laser were performed in 41 patients (41%). The mean time between deep sclerectomy with collagen implant and goniopuncture was 9.9 months +/-1.2 months (+/-SE). The mean IOP before laser treatment was 22.2 mm +/-7.0 mm Hg and decreased to 12.5 mm +/-5.8 mm Hg immediately after laser treatment and remained stable for the next 2 years of follow-up. The immediate success rate of goniopuncture was 83%. Choroidal detachment occurred in two patients (5%). CONCLUSION: Nd:Yag goniopuncture is an efficient and safe treatment for low filtration through the trabeculo-Descemet's membrane after deep sclerectomy with collagen implant.

An ultrasound biomicroscopic study of eyes after deep sclerectomy with collagen implant.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the natural history of eyes after deep sclerectomy with collagen implant (DSCI), a nonperforating glaucoma-filtering surgery. DESIGN: The design was a prospective, longitudinal, observational, and nonrandomized study. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-five eyes of 41 patients with medically uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma were studied. INTERVENTION: Deep sclerectomy with collagen implant was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) of the sclerectomy site was performed 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months after surgery. The following parameters were assessed: length and height of the collagen implant, thickness of the residual trabeculodescemetic membrane, and bleb appearance. RESULTS: Mean intraocular pressure decreased from a preoperative value of 26.3 +/- 3.5 mmHg (mean +/- standard deviation) to a postoperative value of 16.6 +/- 3.1 mmHg (mean +/- standard deviation) at 18 months (P < 0.001). The UBM findings showed a subconjunctival filtration with a nonperforated thin trabeculodescemetic membrane. In 23 eyes (51%), a hypoechoic area in the suprachoroidal space was observed. The thickness of the trabeculodescemetic membrane was stable throughout the study with a mean value of 0.13 mm +/- 0.02 (mean +/- standard deviation) at 18 months. The collagen implant dissolved slowly within 6 to 9 months, leaving a tunnel in the sclera. CONCLUSIONS: The UBM findings are consistent with intraocular pressure lowering by aqueous filtration through the thin remaining trabeculodescemetic membrane to an area under the scleral flap, which was maintained open by the collagen implant. The authors speculate that aqueous humor then reached the subconjunctival space and, eventually, was filtered through the thin scleral wall into the suprachoroidal space. Complete resorption of the collagen implant occurred between 6 and 9 months after surgery.

[Comparative results of deep sclerectomy transformed to trabeculectomy and classical trabeculectomy]. / Résultats comparatifs de la sclérectomie profonde transformée en trabéculectomie et de la trabéculectomie classique.

OBJECTIVE: To study the learning risk of a new surgical technique, the deep sclerectomy (DS), which may be complicated with a perforation of the trabeculodescemetic membrane. To do so, we compared the results and the complications of patients who underwent DS transformed in trabeculectomy (DSt) and those of patients who underwent trabeculectomy (TE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between june 1994 and june 1996, we performed 234 DS, 19 of them had to be transformed into a TE, because of a perforation of the trabeculodescemetic membrane during the deep sclerocorneal dissection. Two matched groups of patients were prospectively followed, one group including 19 DSt and a control group including 19 TE. RESULTS: The IOP decrease on the first postoperative day was greater in the DSt-group compared to the TE-group (2.32 +/- 3.89 vs 6.73 +/- 4.31, p = 0.004). Scleral perforations occurred mainly during the learning phase of this new surgical technique. Postoperative complications were similar in both groups, except for hypotony and hyphema which were more frequent in the DSt-group (hypotony: 90% vs 37%, p = 0.0019; hyphema: 68% vs 16%, p = 0.017). The long term success rate with or without medication were comparable in both groups. CONCLUSION: This study shows that, when a DS is complicated with a perforation of the trabeculodescemetic membrane, the long term success rate of the surgery is similar to that of trabeculectomy. However, immediate postoperative complications such as hypotony and hyphema are increased. These results should encourage surgeons to learn this new non perforating filtration surgery.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy of eyes undergoing deep sclerectomy with collagen implant.

AIMS: To assess the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering mechanism of deep sclerectomy with collagen implant (DSCI), a non-penetrating glaucoma surgery. METHODS: Nine eyes of nine patients with medically uncontrolled open angle glaucoma underwent DSCI. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) of the sclerectomy site was performed 1 month after surgery. The following factors were assessed: length and height of collagen implant, and thickness of the residual trabeculocorneal membrane. RESULTS: Postoperative IOP decreased significantly in all nine eyes from a preoperative mean value of 25.8 (SD 4.8) mm Hg to a postoperative (1 month) mean value of 11.3 (6.3) mm Hg (p = 0.001). In all nine eyes, UBM at 1 month after surgery showed a subconjunctival filtration through the thin trabeculocorneal membrane and through the scleral flap around the collagen implant. In four cases, a hypoechoic area in the suprachoroidal space was observed and might represent ciliary body detachment or be due to suprachoroidal drainage of aqueous humour through the thin deep scleral wall. At 1 month after surgery the mean trabeculocorneal membrane thickness was 110.1 (16.8) microns, and the mean length and height of the collagen implant were 2.3 (0.1) mm and 1.1 (0.1) mm respectively. CONCLUSION: DSCI lowered IOP by allowing aqueous filtration through a thin trabeculocorneal membrane to the subconjunctival space and, eventually, to the suprachoroidal space.

Deep sclerectomy: results with and without collagen implant.

PURPOSE: To study the need, the safety and the success rate of collagen implant in eyes that underwent deep sclerectomy, a new non penetrating filtration procedure, we compared the results of deep sclerectomy with (DSCI) and without (DS) collagen implant. METHODS: Of 168 patients (168 eyes) with various types of medically uncontrolled open angle glaucoma, 86 (86 eyes) underwent DSCI, and 82 (82 eyes) underwent DS. Visual acuity, slit lamp examination, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements were performed before surgery and prospectively at days 1 and 7 and months, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 after surgery. Deep sclerectomy was performed according to Kozlov's original technique. The collagen implant drainage device was radially secured in the center of the deep sclerectomy dissection. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 9.7 +/- 6.5 months for DSCI, and 9.0 +/- 4.8 months for DS. The mean preoperative IOP was 26.9 +/- 8.8 mmHg for DSCI and 25.8 +/- 8.5 mmHg for DS. The mean postoperative IOP and visual acuity were similar between the two groups. Complete and qualified success rates were better when the collagen implant was used (Log-Rank test: p = 0.0002 and 0.033 for complete and qualified success respectively). The need for postoperative glaucoma medications was significantly lower when the collagen implant was used (0.2 +/- 0.5 versus 0.5 +/- 0.7 medication per patient in the DSCI and DS respectively, Student's t test: p = 0.0038). There was significantly less bleb fibrosis when the collagen implant was used (2% and 11% in DSCI and DS respectively, p = 0.029). CONCLUSION: The collagen implant device is safe, increases the success rate of deep sclerectomy, and lowers the need for postoperative glaucoma medications.

[Comparative study of administration time of mitomycin C in trabeculectomy: 2.5 or 5 minutes?]. / Etude comparative du temps d'application de la Mitomycin C dans les trabéculectomies: 2.5 ou 5 minutes?

BACKGROUND: To analyse the inocuity and the incidence of complications of a 0.2 mg/ml solution of Mitomycin C (M.M.C.), for two application time, 2.5 or 5 minutes. METHODS: 110 trabeculectomies were realised in 99 patients; they were high-risk (HR) patients in 66 cases, and low-risk (LR) patients in 44 cases. M.M.C. was used for 2.5 minutes in 44 cases (20 HR patients, 24 LR patients), and for 5 minutes in 66 cases (46 HR patients, 20 LR patients). RESULTS: In both groups HR and LR, there is no significant difference on the pressure lowering whether the 0.2 mg/ml solution of M.M.C. is used during 2.5 minutes or 5 minutes (Student t-test at 6 months: HR: p = 0.224; FR: p = 0.542). For the early and late complication in the HR group, there is no significant difference whether M.M.C. is used 2.5 or 5 minutes. In the LR group, there is a significant difference for hypothalamy (p = 0.035) and choroidal detachment (p = 0.027). In this LR group, there is no significant difference in the late complications. CONCLUSIONS: A 0.2 mg/ml solution of M.M.C., when indicated, may be used as well in the HR and LR group during 2'30". In the HR group, if there are several risk factors, we propose to adapt the application time between 2.5 and 5 minutes, and increase it by 1/2 or 1 minute for each risk factor.

[Toxoplasmosis and ocular pathology]. / Toxoplasmose et pathologie oculaire.

Toxoplasmosis is the leading cause of posterior uveitis in the immunocompetent adult, and potentially leads to blindness. Ocular Toxoplasmosis is usually considered a recurrence of a congenital infection, and this fact enhances the importance of prevention in pregnant women in order to avoid transplacental passage of free forms of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Ocular toxoplasmosis can also be acquired following undiagnosed primary infection in immunocompetent or immunodeficient patients, particularly AIDS patients for whom it indicates a modification of the immunologic pattern. The typical ocular lesion is necrotizing retinitis, satellite of an existing scar, whose situation in the fundus of the eye, number, size, aspect and evolution are variable; more rarely, ocular toxoplasmosis presents in other forms (anterior uveitis, pars-planitis, scleritis, papillitis). The treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis, remains controversial, in particular due to drug side effects. This enhances the importance of alimentary and environmental prevention.

[Comparison of the effects of trabeculoplasty using the Nd-YAG laser and the argon laser]. / Comparaison des effets de la trabéculoplastie effectuée avec le laser Nd-YAG et le laser argon.

We compared the effect of Argon Laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) and Nd-YAG-Laser trabeculoplasty (YLT) on inflammation and intraocular pressure (IOP). Twenty-two patients scheduled for bilateral trabeculoplasty were treated with an Argon laser in one eye and with Nd-YAG laser in the controlateral eye. Visual acuity, IOP and anterior chamber inflammation (measured with the laser flare-cell meter) were controlled at 0, 3, 6, 18 hours, 2, 4, 7, 14, 30, 90 and 180 days after trabeculoplasty. Our results showed a similar pressure lowering effect in both groups (-24.5 +/- 23% after YLT versus -32.9 +/- 16.3% after ALT at 90 days post-laser; p = 0.26). The anterior chamber inflammation was delayed and more important in the ALT-group (inflammation peaked at 24.8 hours after YLT versus 44.5 hours after ALT; p = 0.034) (maximal mean flare increase: 19.4 +/- 12 pH/msec. after ALT, versus 16.1 +/- 11.4 ph/msec. after YLT). All eyes with inflammation were successfully treated with topical diclofenac QID (Voltaren Ophtha), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent. YLT is a safe and effective alternative technique to perform laser trabeculoplasty, which is especially useful in poorly pigmented angles where ALT is known to be less effective.