Laser suture lysis or releasable sutures after trabeculectomy

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and complication rates of laser suture lysis (LSL) or releasable sutures techniques after trabeculectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight eyes of 43 consecutive patients with uncomplicated glaucoma who were recruited for primary trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 and group 2 comprised 27 and 21 eyes that were randomly assigned to a standard surgery and releasable suture groups, respectively. A target intraocular pressure (IOP) had been determined on the basis of the severity of the glaucoma and was called a complete success, qualified success, or failure. RESULTS: In group 1, the mean change in IOP after LSL was 7.31+/-1.98 mm Hg, 6.1+/-1.1 mm Hg, and 3.9+/-1.5 mm Hg when sutures were lysed on the first, second, and third months. In group 2, the mean change in IOP after releasable suture removed was 8.20+/-2.74 mm Hg, 5.12+/-1.65 mm Hg, and 4.4+/-1.0 mm Hg when sutures were released at the first, second, and third months. At the end of 6 months, the success (complete and qualified success) rates were 92% and 90% for LSL and releasable suture groups, respectively. There was no statistically significant differences in success (P>0.05) and complication (P>0.05) rates between groups. CONCLUSIONS: We observed an effective IOP reduction in eyes that had suture release both in the early and late postoperative periods after LSL and suture release. We believe that both the laserable and releasable suture techniques can be preferred to permanent sutures for closing scleral flaps in primary trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C in uncomplicated glaucoma.     

The microsurgical management of giant retinal tears with trans-scleral retinal sutures

Eight cases of retinal detachment from giant tears were followed from four months to two years. Patients were treated with a combined procedure, including pars plana vitrectomy, rotation of the patient with air-gas fluid exchange to bring the retina into its normal anatomic position, and trans-scleral retinal sutures, using an external rather than internal approach. Seven of the eight cases were reattached successfully. Methods, materials, and complications are described. Pre- and post-operative information regarding visual acuity and results are listed in tabular form.     

Laser suture lysis after trabeculectomy

PURPOSE: The author attempted to avoid ocular hypotony following a mitomycin-C trabeculectomy by controlling the interval between surgery and laser suture lysis. METHODS: When 10 seconds of digital pressure on the eye following a mitomycin-C trabeculectomy produced a 20% drop of the intraocular pressure, the decision of whether or not to perform laser suture lysis was delayed until the following examination. RESULTS: Twenty-nine consecutive eyes (27 patients) with primary open-angle glaucoma underwent mitomycin-C trabeculectomy in which laser suture lysis was required during the postoperative period to reach the target intraocular pressure. The eyes were classified by the severity of the glaucoma: mild, moderate, and severe. For moderate and severe glaucoma, an unqualified success was defined as an intraocular pressure of 10 +/- 2 mm Hg. A qualified success had an intraocular pressure of 5 to 7 mm Hg or 13 to 15 mm Hg. Failure was defined as an intraocular pressure less than 5 mm Hg or greater than 15 mm Hg. Fifteen eyes were called success, 7 eyes qualified success, and 7 eyes failure. When the final laser suture lysis was carried out within the first two postoperative months, two of the failure eyes sustained hypotony. If the final laser suture lysis had been carried out after the first two postoperative months, there were no eyes with hypotony. There was no statistical difference in the final intraocular pressure between the early laser suture lysis and late laser suture lysis groups. CONCLUSIONS: From this pilot study it would appear that delaying the final laser suture lysis following trabeculectomy (MMC) until after the second postoperative month may reduce the risk of hypotony without adversely affecting the final intraocular pressure.     

Laser suture lysis after trabeculectomy

In an effort to achieve the early postoperative safety and stability provided by trabeculectomy plus the late lower intraocular pressure (IOP) advantages of full-thickness glaucoma filtration surgery, 43 eyes of 38 patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma had laser suture lysis after primary trabeculectomy. The technique of laser suture lysis afforded serial release of resistance to aqueous outflow through the newly performed trabeculectomy, allowing initial tight closure of the trabeculectomy to avoid the dangers of hypotony. Serial gradual loosening of the trabeculectomy closure decreased resistance to outflow through the trabeculectomy and thereby lowered the IOP to desired levels in a controlled, titrated manner. Complications decreased with experience. For 25 eyes with at least 6 months follow-up (average, 54 weeks), the average IOP decreased from 25.0 mmHg preoperatively to 12.2 mmHg postoperatively.     

Laser suture lysis for non-valved aqueous drainage implants

PURPOSE: To describe a technique for laser suture lysis with non-valved aqueous drainage implants. METHODS: The surgical juxtaposition of the aqueous drainage tube and notched scleral graft allows the ligature to be placed in a predictable position aiding laser suture lysis. RESULTS: After drainage device encapsulation limits the possibility of hypotony, this technique allows easy postoperative lysis of drainage tube ligatures. CONCLUSION: This simple modification of surgical technique aids surgeons in finding and releasing aqueous drainage device ligature sutures.     

Suitability of different procedures for the sterilization of microsurgical instruments. A review of current and future procedures

A review of common methods of sterilization is presented. The principles of operation of steam, hot-air, and gas sterilizers, as well as that of a completely new method which uses H2O2 plasma, are described. The suitability of these methods for sterilizing microsurgical instruments was studied. This paper deals in particular with hot-air sterilization, which is preferred because of the low humidity involved. This method was investigated by recording temperature curves during sterilization. Sterilization with hot steam (autoclaving) has been shown to damage instruments by causing corrosion, to which the types of steel used to make these instruments are highly susceptible. A H2O2 plasma sterilization method is described which operates at low temperatures and with very low humidity. Its suitability for microsurgical instruments has been investigated.     

翼状胬肉显微手术方法及其疗效观察

目的探讨翼状胬肉显微手术方法及其疗效,在手术显微镜下观察翼状胬肉与角巩膜的病理关系及其术后复发情况和视力变化。方法选择超过瞳孔缘的41例（46只眼）原发性翼状胬肉患者,在手术显微镜下采用多种方法剖切,观察翼状胬肉组织与角膜的病理关系。将翼状胬肉头部分为头顶部、疏松部及粘连部3个部分;头顶部是翼状胬肉头部顶端的致密、坚硬的半透明组织,与角膜粘连紧密;粘连部为角巩膜缘前界前平行于角膜缘的带状区,与角膜粘连紧密;疏松部为头顶部和粘连部之间的翼状胬肉组织,易与角膜分离;翼状胬肉颈部和体部易与角巩膜缘和巩膜分离。测量翼状胬肉头部及其3个分部的数据。做广泛的变性球筋膜切除和自体结膜瓣转位移植,术后随访时间为12．0—50．2个月,中位数为22．4个月,观察患者术前、后视力改变和术后复发情况。结果翼状胬肉头部总长（6．3±0．4）mm,头顶部长约（1．7±0．4）mm;粘连部长约（0．9±0．1）mm;疏松部长约（3．6±0．4）mm。患者术前裸眼视力为指数／眼前至0．7,中位数为0．3;术后1个月裸眼视力为指数／眼前至1．5,中位数为0．7（秩和检验u=5．435,P〈0．01）。5例（5只眼）患者术后复发,复发率为11％（5／46）。结论原发性翼状胬肉与角巩膜的病理关系具有规律性,为翼状胬肉显微手术方法的选择提供了客观依据;广泛变性球筋膜切除联合自体结膜瓣转位移植方法,术后复发率低,视力提高显著。     

青光眼小梁切除术后激光断线控制眼压的观察

目的 观察Nd∶YAG激光切断巩膜瓣缝线控制青光眼小梁切除术后眼压的效果.方法 利用Nd∶YAG激光电离爆破效应切断巩膜瓣缝线,控制青光眼小梁切除术后眼压.结果 Nd∶YAG激光切断巩膜瓣缝线后,滤过增强,眼压明显下降,视力提高,无手术并发症出现.结论 采用Nd∶YAG激光切断巩膜瓣缝线以增加滤过,控制青光眼小梁切除术后的眼压,可以取得良好的效果.     

A novel approach for the fixation of enucleated eyes during microsurgical procedures using common household plumbing accessories

The authors describe a novel approach for the fixation of enucleated eyes during microsurgical procedures using common household plumbing accessories. The device consists of a ring adaptor with 4 round-ended screws placed horizontally at its sides and a plastic hose connector. The enucleated globe is secured in the center of the ring adaptor by gently tightening the screws. The hose connector supports the posterior pole of the globe and is secured onto a styrofoam board that provides a platform for resting the surgeon's hands. The device proved very satisfactory to residents during the teaching of cataract surgery and trabeculectomy on porcine eyes. Our globe fixation device is simple, inexpensive, effective, and readily available. It may be especially useful in developing countries.     

Polyglactin sutures versus nylon sutures for scleral flap suturing in trabeculectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To note the effect on filtration function of using polyglactin sutures for scleral flap suturing in trabeculectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Polyglactin sutures were compared with nylon sutures to secure the scleral flap of trabeculectomy in 30 consecutive eyes. Parameters studied were intraocular pressure, central anterior chamber depth, and bleb score in this randomized prospective study. RESULTS: Observations regarding intraocular pressure, central anterior chamber depth and bleb score in the early postoperative period were comparable in the 2 groups. The results at 12 months follow-up reveal a lower mean IOP (P < 0.05) and a higher mean bleb score (P < 0.05) in the group with polyglactin sutures. Success rate (defined as IOP < 21 mm Hg) at 12 months was 100% with use of polyglactin sutures compared to 80% with nylon sutures. CONCLUSIONS: Polyglactin sutures can be used as an alternative to nylon sutures for scleral flap suturing in trabeculectomy, with the possible additional benefit of better long-term filtration function.