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Abstract #15571 Published in IGR 1-3
Novel synthetic meshwork for glaucoma treatment. I. Design and preliminary in vitro and in vivo evaluation of various expanded poly (tetrafluoroethylene) materials
Jallet V; Gautier SE; Parel JM; Matsui T; Haefliger I; Kondo H; Kato H; Savoldelli M; Pouliquen YJournal of Biomecial Materials Research 1999; 47: 260-269
A novel drainage implant for glaucoma filtering surgery (MESH) is proposed. After various expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (e-PFTE) materials were evaluated, the feasibility and the short-term safety of the technique were assessed in this first pilot study in the rabbit. The porous structure and the in vitro resistance to aqueous flow of seven different e-PTFE membranes (5-80 μm average pore size) were compared. Eight Dutch pigmented rabbits were implanted with the T-shaped MESH implants made from either 20- or 50-μm average pore size e-PTFE membranes. Clinical examination, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements, and histology analyses were performed over a period of three months. The contralateral nonoperated eyes served as controls. MESH implantation took less than seven minutes. No postoperative hypotony, migration, or extrusion of the implant and no intraocular inflammation or infection occurred. A significant IOP reduction in the implanted eyes was obtained past postoperative day 21 with the 20-μm material implant. The drainage efficacy was correlated with the degree of colonization of the porous materials and the inner spacing of the implant as observed by histology. With a filtering patency three times longer than conventional trabeculectomy and laser sclerectomy, MESH surgery is a promising technique for glaucoma treatment. Further studies are under way to enhance the device efficacy and understand the mechanism of filtration.
Dr. V. Jallet, Ophthalmic Biophysics Center, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, 900 NW 17th Street, Miami, FL 33136; USA
Classification:
12.8.2 With tube implant or other drainage devices (Part of: 12 Surgical treatment > 12.8 Filtering surgery)
