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Abstract #26379 Published in IGR 12-3
Application of handheld cautery for reduction of symptomatic circumferential trabeculectomy blebs
Schwartz AL; Albano MJournal of Glaucoma 2010; 19: 497-498
See also comment(s) by Robert Feldman •
PURPOSE: To describe a new, in-office procedure for limiting symptomatic, circumferential conjunctival blebs occurring after trabeculectomy. PATIENTS: Two eyes of 2 patients status postfornix-based trabeculectomy with mitomycin C were found to have symptomatic circumferential blebs. METHODS: Risks and benefits of cautery were discussed, along with alternatives including continued conservative treatment or surgical revision. The patients opted for in-office cautery. Two eyes of 2 patients underwent cauterization of their blebs with a Bovie high temperature handheld cautery in the office after topical pretreatment with 2.5% neosynephrine and 4% xylocaine. Excess fluid was drained from the bleb by expression through the puncture wounds. The wounds were Seidel negative immediately after the treatment. RESULTS: Flattening of the bleb occurred instantly, patients did not experience pain and their symptoms related to the extensive bleb resolved. The functioning of the bleb was not altered in these 2 cases by this procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Early results show that handheld cautery may be a useful means of treating symptomatic circumferential blebs.
Georgetown University/Washington Hospital Center.
Classification:
12.20 Other (Part of: 12 Surgical treatment)
12.8.1 Without tube implant (Part of: 12 Surgical treatment > 12.8 Filtering surgery)
