To evaluate the efficacy of trabeculectomy using modified scleral flap suture technique

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 52 patients (55 eyes) who had undergone trabeculectomy from January 2003 to January 2007. Standard trabeculectomy was performed for 29 eyes of 27 patients, modified trabeculectomy for 26 eyes of 25 patients. We changed suture site of scleral flap corner about 1mm medially from original site and added tight suture to both lateral margins of scleral flap to prevent overflow in modified group. In both groups, most of patients were injected 0.1 ml of 0.02 mg/ml mitomycin-C (MMC) subconjunctivally and the others 0.1 ml of 0.04 mg/ml MMC. We evaluated intraocular pressure (IOP), complication, morphology of filtering bleb, cumulative success rates.

Argon laser suturelysis was performed postoperatively in about half cases of both groups. The IOPs of modified group were consistently lower than those of standard group for 24 months except postoperative 1 day and 1 week. There was a significant difference of IOP at postoperative 2 months and 12 months ( p <0.05). No significant difference of complications was found between two groups. The diffuse bleb with microcyst was found in 19 eyes (73%) of modified group and 17 eyes (59%) of standard group. From Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, cumulative success rates of modified group were higher than those of standard group ( p <0.05).

Trabeculectomy using modified scleral flap suture appears to give better IOP control than standard trabeculectomy.