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Graft-free Ahmed tube insertion: a modified method at 5 mm from limbus
Juan Carlos Mesa-Gutiérrez1, Juan Lillo-Sopena, Anna Monés-Llivina
1Department 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.
