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Graft-free Ahmed tube insertion: a modified method at 5 mm from limbus

Authors Mesa-Gutierrez J, Lillo-Sopena J, Monés-Llivina A, Sanz-Moreno S, Arruga-Ginebreda J

Published 20 April 2010 Volume 2010:4 Pages 359—363

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S9461

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2



Juan Carlos Mesa-Gutiérrez, Juan Lillo-Sopena, Anna Monés-Llivina, Silvia Sanz-Moreno, Jorge Arruga-Ginebreda

Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

Objective: To determine the medium-term outcome of Ahmed implants inserted through a needle tract at 5 mm from limbus that eliminates the need for a donor scleral graft.

Methods: A retrospective case series of 19 patients undergoing Ahmed implant surgery for refractory glaucoma with a mean follow-up of 12 months. Primary outcome measures included control of intraocular pressure after surgery. Secondary outcome measure included the frequency of intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Results: Intraocular pressure was maintained between 6 and 21 mmHg throughout the study. There was no postoperative hypotony. There were no complications related to this modified technique.

Conclusion: Needle tract at 5 mm from limbus maintains implant’s ability to control intraocular pressure and eliminates the need for a donor scleral graft or heterologous material.

Keywords: surgical technique, Ahmed implant, refractory glaucoma, donor scleral graft, tube shunt device

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