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Br J Ophthalmol 2008;92:1232-1235 doi:10.1136/bjo.2008.140129
  • Original Article
    • Clinical science

Medium-term outcomes of safe surgery system trabeculectomies

  1. J Gale1,
  2. A P Wells1,2
  1. 1
    Ophthalmology Department, Capital & Coast District Health Board, Wellington, New Zealand
  2. 2
    Capital Eye Specialists, Wellington, New Zealand
  1. Dr A P Wells, Ophthalmology Department, Wellington Hospital, Private Bag 7902, Wellington, New Zealand; twells{at}eyetext.net
  • Accepted 1 June 2008
  • Published Online First 10 July 2008

Abstract

Aim: To assess the safety and success of Safe Surgery System trabeculectomy beyond 3 years.

Methods: Consecutive case series of 39 eyes in 32 patients. Trabeculectomy was performed using fornix-based conjunctival flap, standard trabeculectomy punch, adjustable scleral flap sutures and antimetabolite treatment. Primary outcome of surgical failure was defined by two criteria: (A) need for further surgery, glaucoma medications or an intraocular pressure (IOP) >21 mm Hg during >10% of follow-up; or (B) IOP >15 mm Hg for >10% follow-up. A relatively aggressive regime of bleb needling and subconjunctival injections was used postoperatively in an attempt to reduce bleb fibrosis and failure. The mean follow-up was 42 months (range 25–55).

Results: The rate of surgical failure was 4.4% per eye-year for criterion A, and 8.0% per eye-year for criterion B. Complications were few and compared favourably with other published series.

Conclusion: The Safe Surgery System for trabeculectomy provides excellent IOP control both during the operation and in the short and medium term postoperatively, with few complications or surgical failures.

Footnotes

  • Funding: This work was supported by the Capital Vision Research Trust, but we received no direct funding for this research, and cannot identify any financial competing interests.

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Ethics approval: The Central Regional Ethics Committee approved the study.

  • Patient consent: Obtained.

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