Fascia lata patch graft in glaucoma tube surgery

To determine if using human cadaveric fascia lata grafts to cover glaucoma implant tubes is safe and effective.

All patients who underwent glaucoma implant surgery at the Doheny Eye Institute between July 1993 and September 1993 received a fascia lata patch graft to cover the subconjunctival portion of the tube. These patients were followed prospectively for clinical signs of conjunctival breakdown, graft melt, tube erosion, graft-related inflammation, infection, and graft-related complications.

Twenty-two eyes of 21 patients were followed for a mean of 19 months. All eyes tolerated the fascia lata grafts well without clinical evidence of graft-related conjunctival, scleral, or intraocular inflammation. No tube erosion or melting of the graft was observed in the study group.

Preserved donor fascia lata was well tolerated as a grafting material in glaucoma implant surgery. No clinical signs of graft rejection, foreign body reaction, tube erosion, or graft melt were observed in the study group during the follow-up period.