scholarly journals TAG (Tube and Graft) Sandwich Technique: A Novel Single-Stage Scleral Reinforcement and Aqueous Drainage Tube Implantation

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Faisal Ahmed ◽  
Nada G. Mohamed

Purpose. Refractory glaucoma patients continue to require surgical intervention in the form of trabeculectomy surgery or glaucoma drainage device (GDD). Those patients that require a GDD but have thin sclera or scleromalacia present a challenge. Methods. In this article, we present a novel “TAG sandwich” single surgical procedure in which thinned sclera is reinforced with a pericardial patch graft (“bottom layer of the sandwich”) allowing safe implantation of the GDD (“the tube sandwich filling”) and then placing another patch graft on top of the tube part of the GDD (“top layer of the sandwich”). The surgery was performed on an open-angle glaucoma patient with a generalized thin sclera and uncontrolled intraocular pressure despite maximal topical medication and oral acetazolamide. Results. Reinforcing a compromised sclera with a pericardium patch graft allowed the safe implantation of a glaucoma drainage device. The patient’s intraocular pressure was safely controlled at 7 mmHg almost 1-year postsurgery without intraocular pressure-lowering drops. Conclusions. This scleral strengthening procedure can be considered by readers in other ocular surgeries where there is a risk of scleral perforation, as well as part of a combined surgery where refractory glaucoma patients with thin sclera require scleral reinforcement to allow for safer implantation of a glaucoma drainage device.

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 521-526
Author(s):  
Van Nguyen ◽  
Mason Schmutz ◽  
Sarah Farukhi ◽  
Sameh Mosaed

We report the case of a 69-year-old female who underwent a Baerveldt implant placement for severe-stage primary open-angle glaucoma and developed a bacterial infection of the conjunctiva and abscess of the scleral patch graft with subsequent tube exposure. The infection was identified 3 weeks postoperatively and a topical antibiotic was immediately initiated. A concurrent systemic staphylococcal infection was discovered by an outside physician and oral cephalexin was initiated. Despite antibiotic treatment, the conjunctival erosion progressed, and tube revision was required. Culture of the abscess revealed coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. As alluded to above, the patient also had multiple abscesses on the skin that cultured positive for Staphylococcus aureus. To our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus causing an early postoperative abscess of the scleral patch graft following glaucoma drainage device placement.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Pakravan ◽  
Vahid Reza Hekmat ◽  
Parto Pakravan ◽  
Kiana Hassanpour ◽  
Hamed Esfandiari

Purpose: To introduce a new technique of short tunnel small flap graft-free glaucoma drainage device implantation and report our early experience. Methods: In a retrospective study, patients with uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma underwent short tunnel small flap graft-free Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation. In this technique, plate is sutured 8–10 mm posterior to the limbus and a partial thickness flap is made at 1 or 11 o’clock position, 1 mm posterior the limbus. Tube was passed through a tunnel immediately anterior to the plate into the proximal edge of the flap and then inserted into the anterior chamber via a route underneath the flap. Flap then covered the distal end of the tube and conjunctiva was sutured. Patients were followed for a minimum of 12 months for any sign of tube exposure and rise of intraocular pressure. Results: A total of 16 consecutive patients with refractory primary open-angle glaucoma and uncontrolled intraocular pressure were included in this study. Mean age of participants was 59 ± 8.3 years and nine (56%) were male. Mean intraocular pressure at the time of presentation was 26 ± 6.2 mm Hg, which dropped to 16 ± 4.5 at 12 months postoperative follow-up. The number of medications at baseline was 3 ± 1 eye drops, which was decreased to 1 ± 1.2 at 12 months. There were no conjunctival and flap-related complications or any sign of tube exposure during 1-year postoperative period. Conclusion: Short tunnel small flap graft-free glaucoma drainage device implantation technique combines advantages of both tunneling and flap techniques. Also, it may result in better tube positioning and more favorable cosmetic outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 700-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander T Nguyen ◽  
Jessica Maslin ◽  
Robert J Noecker

Purpose: To describe our clinical experience with the efficacy and safety of micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation as a treatment for glaucoma. Methods: In this retrospective case series, we reviewed the charts of 95 consecutive patients with various glaucoma subtypes who underwent micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation. Patients were offered micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation if they had perimetric glaucoma refractory to intraocular pressure–lowering topical medications and who were poor candidates for traditional filtering surgery. Eligible patients were treated with the Micropulse P3 device (IQ 810 Laser Systems; Iridex, Mountain View, CA, USA) at 2.0–2.5 W for a duration of 90 s per hemisphere at a 31.3% duty cycle. If a retreatment was needed, the power was increased to up to 3.0 W with other parameters remaining the same. Patients were considered successfully treated if their intraocular pressure was lowered by at least 20% compared to their baseline. The main outcome measure was post-operative intraocular pressure; secondary outcome measures included the number of adverse events and complications that occurred with treatment. Results: The glaucoma subtypes treated included primary open-angle glaucoma (n = 51), exfoliation glaucoma (n = 24), chronic angle-closure glaucoma (n = 15), and congenital/juvenile glaucoma (n = 5). The mean pre-operative intraocular pressure was 25.1 ± 5.3 mm Hg and the mean post-operative intraocular pressure at 12 months was 17.5 ± 5.1 mm Hg (p = 0.004). The mean number of intraocular pressure–lowering medications used preoperatively was 3.0 ± 1.1; the mean number of medications used at the 12-month post-operative visit was 1.4 ± 1.0 (p = 0.03). Success with one treatment was achieved in 73 (76.8%) of patients. With multiple treatments, all patients had significant intraocular pressure–lowering compared to baseline. The maximum number of treatments received by any single patient was 5. There were no instances of prolonged intraocular inflammation or long-term hypotony. Conclusion: Micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation appears to be a safe and efficacious treatment for glaucoma. Given its improved safety profile compared to continuous-wave transscleral cyclophotocoagulation, it deserves consideration as a primary procedure.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Yang Zhang ◽  
Yong Jie Qin ◽  
Yang Fan Yang ◽  
Jian Gang Xu ◽  
Min Bin Yu

Purpose.To compare the efficacy of subthreshold and conventional selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in the patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Methods.Fifty-two eyes from fifty-two POAG patients were randomized into two groups, one group treated with subthreshold SLT using two-thirds of the conventional energy and the other one treated with the conventional energy. IOP was measured with the Goldmann tonometer and the anterior chamber inflammation was determined using laser flare meter.Results.The initial energy dosage used in subthreshold SLT group was significantly lower than the amount of the energy used in conventional SLT group (0.4±0.1 mJ versus0.6±0.1 mJ,P=0.030). The total energy dosage was also significantly lower in subthreshold SLT group compared to the other group (37.6±3.3 mJ versus51.8±5.7 mJ,P=0.036). However, the level of inflammation in aqueous humor, amount of reduction in IOP, and the success rate in controlling IOP was the same in both groups.Conclusion.The efficacy of subthreshold SLT group in reducing IOP in POAG patients is comparable to the efficacy of conventional SLT group.


2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dara Lankaranian ◽  
Ricardo Reis ◽  
Jeffrey D. Henderer ◽  
Sung Choe ◽  
Marlene R. Moster

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Jea H. Yu ◽  
Chuck Nguyen ◽  
Esmeralda Gallemore ◽  
Ron P. Gallemore

Purpose. To report a new technique for anterior placement of tubes for glaucoma drainage devices to reduce the risk of tube erosions.Methods. Retrospective review of select cases of Ahmed Valve surgery combined with the novel method of a limbal-based scleral flap covered by a scleral patch graft to cover the tube at the entrance through the limbus. Intraoperative and postoperative illustrations are shown to highlight the method of tube placement.Results. In this retrospective case series, 3 patients are presented illustrating the technique. Two had neovascular glaucoma and one had primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). On average, intraocular pressure was reduced from39±14 mmHg to15±2 mmHg and the number of glaucoma medications was reduced from4±1to 0. Preoperative and most recent visual acuities were hand-motion (HM) and HM, 20/60 and 20/50, and 20/70 and 20/30, respectively.Conclusion. The combination of a limbal-based scleral flap with scleral patch graft to cover the tube with glaucoma drainage devices may be an effective means to reduce erosion and protect against endophthalmitis.


2011 ◽  
Vol 139 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 12-17
Author(s):  
Marija Bozic ◽  
Paraskeva Hentova-Sencanic ◽  
Djordje Kontic ◽  
Vujica Markovic ◽  
Ivan Marjanovic

Introduction. Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) is an intraocular pressure lowering method that is overall safe and powerful, but often complicated by transient postoperative intraocular pressure rises. In prevention of this complication, we frequently use two potent alpha-adrenergic agonists - brimonidine and apraclonidine. Objective. The aim of this study was to compare brimonidine 0.2% and apraclonidine 0.5% efficacy and safety in prevention of intraocular pressure elevation after ALT. Methods. This was a prospective, randomized, double-masked and comparative study. This study included 27 POAG patients, 15 received 0.2% brimonidine, and 12 received 0.5% apraclonidine before laser surgery (22 eyes in both groups). Intraocular pressure readings were taken 1, 2, 3, 24 hours and 7 days after ALT. Student?s t-test was used to analyze data between two groups, and ?2 test to compare data within groups. Value p less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. We found statistically significantly lower IOP in eyes that received 0.2% brimonidine at readings taken 1 hour after ALT (p=0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in other IOP readings between two groups. Conclusion. A single preoperative drop of brimonidine 0.2% had similar efficacy and safety as apraclonidine 0.5% in preventing transient IOP elevations after ALT.


2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quang Minh Luong ◽  
Lei Shang ◽  
Marcus Ang ◽  
Jen Fong Kong ◽  
Yan Peng ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shouxiang NI ◽  
Zongbao GAO ◽  
Deshui RAN ◽  
Chunming ZHAO ◽  
Qiao LI

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