[Surgical key points. Trabeculectomy]

Trabeculectomy is the filtering surgery of choice in the surgical treatment of glaucoma. Nevertheless, the technique is evolving rapidly. The use of a limbus-based or fornix-based conjunctival flap, the size and architecture of the scleral flap, the size of the sclerostomy, as well as the use of antimetabolites are currently being debated. There is a general tendancy to use smaller sclerostomy openings, 0.5-1 mm in diameter, with more liberal, but cautious, use of antimetabolites. The goal is to make glaucoma surgery as safe and successful as possible.