The surgical outcome of primary trabeculectomy with mitomycin C and A fornix-based conjunctival flap technique in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the surgical outcome of primary trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) and fornix-based conjunctival flap technique in Thai patients.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: This retrospective review was conducted from the clinical records of all Thai glaucoma patients who underwent a primary trabeculectomy with MMC using a fornix-based conjunctival flap technique by or under supervision of one ophthalmologist (NK) between February 2004 and July 2006 at Siriraj Hospital, School of Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

RESULTS

There were 69 eyes from 60 patients. Postoperatively, mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was significantly decreased from 26.1 +/- 11.7 mmHg to 11.7 +/- 4.4 mmHg (p < 0.001) and mean number of anti-glaucoma medication was significantly reduced from 3.9 +/- 0.7 to 0.3 +/- 0.9 (p < 0.001) at last visit. Sixty-seven eyes (96.8%) were considered as success. Eight eyes (11.6%) in this group needed topical anti-glaucoma medications. Two eyes (2.9%) were considered as failure. Mean follow-up period was 7.7 +/- 4.0 months. Complications included bleb leaking in 16 eyes, choroidal detachment in four eyes, and blebitis in two eyes. Seven eyes with leaking bleb resolved spontaneously.

CONCLUSION

Primary trabeculectomy with MMC using afornix-based conjunctival flap technique is effective as a treatment for Thai glaucoma patients. There is a high rate of success (96.8%) with the low rate of complication.