advertisement
Abstract #6666 Published in IGR 4-1
Laser-grid trabeculectomy in rabbits: an experimental in-vivo study
Dietlein TS; Jacobi PC; Krieglstein GKGraefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 2002; 240: 106-110
BACKGROUND: Laser-grid trabeculectomy (TE) is a modification of micro-TE designed to enhance the intra- and postoperative safety of filtering surgery by creating several small oval fistulas (maximum diameter <200 μm) beneath a scleral flap without peripheral iridectomy. METHODS: After dissecting the conjunctiva and a conventional scleral flap, ten small perforating fistulas were created in five pigmented rabbits in the region of the gray-white border using an erbium:YAG laser with a bevelled side-firing 200 μm endoprobe; convention TE with iridectomy was performed in a further five animals. Anterior chamber inspection and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements of both eyes were conducted on days 1, 4, and 14 after operation. After the final inspection, eyes were saved for morphological analysis. RESULTS: Both procedures (laser-grid and conventional TE) led to a reduction of IOP in the treated eye compared to the control. Differences between the outcomes for the two procedures were not statistically significant. Morphology of the eyes treated by laser-grid TE revealed dense scarring of perforations around the center of the ligamenta pectinata and loose tissue refilling of the more peripheral openings. CONCLUSIONS: The functional outcome of laser-grid TE in rabbits was similar to that of conventional TE in the short term. Histological examination of microperforations in the area of the trabecular meshwork after two weeks indicated that tissue repair was less pronounced than in the more anterior perforations. This morphological finding may be of importance in non-penetrating glaucoma surgery.
Dr. T.S. Dietlein, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9, 50931 Cologne, Germany. aia47@uni-koeln.de
Classification:
5 Experimental glaucoma; animal models
12.8.4 Using laser (Part of: 12 Surgical treatment > 12.8 Filtering surgery)
