Trabeculectomy using a sutureless scleral tunnel technique: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate prospectively the surgical outcome in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP) control and safety of trabeculectomy using a sutureless scleral tunnel technique in patients with uncomplicated primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

METHODS

Patients with POAG whose IOP was more than 21 mmHg with administration of maximally tolerated medications were recruited for this study. All patients underwent the sutureless scleral tunnel trabeculectomy under retrobulbar anesthesia. Intraoperative complications and postoperative visual acuity, IOP, bleb status, and complications were evaluated for a follow-up period of 1 year.

RESULTS

Surgery was performed in 18 patients (20 eyes); 17 of the patients (19 eyes) completed the study (one patient was excluded because of defaulted follow-up). Mean IOP was 26.6 +/- 3.6 mmHg before surgery and 15.3 +/- 3.0 mmHg 1 year after surgery. No intraoperative complications were encountered. Mild hyphema (10.5%) and shallow anterior chamber (15.8%) were noted in the immediate postoperative period, but both were managed successfully with conservative treatment. The absolute success rate was 79.0%.

CONCLUSION

The preliminary results of this study are encouraging. It appears that sutureless scleral tunnel trabeculectomy is a safe and effective drainage procedure for treating uncomplicated POAG. A larger-scale study with a longer follow-up period seems warranted.