Development and Application of a New T-shaped Internal Trabeculotomy Hook (T-hook)

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Glaucoma management often involves procedures to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP).
• Internal trabeculotomy is a surgical technique aimed at improving aqueous humor outflow.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel T-shaped internal trabeculotomy hook.
• To compare the surgical outcomes of the T-hook with the established Kahook dual blade (KDB) device.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 17 patients for the T-hook and 61 patients for the KDB.
• Evaluation of post-surgical intraocular pressure, medication usage, visual acuity, and complications like IOP spikes and hyphema.

Main Results:

• Both T-hook and KDB surgeries significantly reduced IOP and medication requirements.
• The T-hook demonstrated excellent utility in opening Schlemm's canal.
• No significant difference in post-surgical IOP was observed between the T-hook and KDB groups.

Conclusions:

• The novel T-shaped hook is an effective and easy-to-use instrument for internal trabeculotomy.
• The T-hook provides comparable surgical outcomes to the KDB device in glaucoma surgery.