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Abstract #13388 Published in IGR 8-1
A novel technique of ab interno glaucoma surgery: follow-up results after 24 months
Pajic B; Pallas G; Heinrich G; Bohnke MGraefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 2006; 244: 22-27
See also comment(s) by Roberto Carassa •
PURPOSE: It was the aim of this study to investigate the efficacy, longevity, and safety of a new ab interno intervention for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: The previously described method of radiofrequency-mediated 'sclerothalamotomy ab interno' was applied in 53 eyes of consecutive patients with POAG between April 2002 and July 2002. Average preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 25.6 ± 2.3 mmHg (range 18-48 mmHg). Sclerothalamotomies were carried out with a custom-made high-frequency dissection 19 G probe (tip 0.3 x 1 mm) applying bipolar current with a frequency of 500 kHz (tip temperature 130° C). RESULTS: After a follow-up period of 24 months, the average IOP was 15.0 ± 1.6 mmHg (range 11-20 mmHg) (p < 0.005). The average number of topical agents was 2.6 ± 1.0 (range 1-5) preoperatively. Twenty-four months after surgery such agents were used in only five (9.6%) eyes and the average was 0.21 ± 0.53 (range 0-2). Transient IOP elevation was observed in 12 of 53 eyes (22.6%) postoperatively. In all cases elevated IOP could efficiently be controlled with topical medication. In general, IOP dropped continuously over the course of the 6 months following surgery and then remained constant. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that sclerothalamotomy ab interno is a safe and efficient surgical method for the treatment of POAG. Long-term results clearly demonstrate the longevity of IOP reduction.
Dr. B.Pajic, Department of Ophthalmology, Klinik Pallas, 4600 Olten, Switzerland. bpajic@datacomm.ch
Classification:
12.8.3 Non-perforating (Part of: 12 Surgical treatment > 12.8 Filtering surgery)