Needling With 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) After XEN Gel Stent Implantation: 6-Month Outcomes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate frequency, safety, and efficacy of needling in patients that underwent XEN Gel Stent implantation.

METHODS

Retrospective case review of 19 eyes of 57 consecutive patients (61 eyes) with primary open-angle glaucoma or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma that previously underwent implantation of XEN45 alone or in combination with cataract surgery followed by needling procedure with 5-FU. Success was defined at 2 IOP levels: ≤21 mm Hg and ≤15 mm Hg, with or without additional glaucoma medications. Treatment failure was defined as IOP>21 mm Hg or <5 mm Hg, need for additional glaucoma surgery or loss of light perception.

RESULTS

Totally 19 of 61 eyes that underwent XEN gel implantation had subsequent needling and were included. Preneedling IOP was 26.2±9.5 and postneedling IOP at last follow-up 15.4±3.7 mm Hg (P=0.0001). Overall success rates of 17 (90%) and 13 eyes (69%) were observed at the ≤21 mm Hg and ≤15 mm Hg level, respectively. Preneedling and postneedling visual acuity and number of medications remained unchanged (P>0.05). Two eyes (10%) were categorized as treatment failures. No major complications occurred. Mean follow-up was 203.8±142.2 (range, 22 to 456) days.

CONCLUSIONS

Needling revision following XEN gel stent implantation showed a good IOP-lowering effect without significant increase in number of antiglaucoma medications, decrease in visual acuity, nor any major complications. Further studies with long-term follow-up and a larger number of patients are needed to fully assess the safety and efficacy of this procedure.