Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:A clinical study was designed to assess the surgical outcomes of patients treated with a surgical device that ablates a strip of trabecular meshwork overlying Schlemm’s canal. The TRABECTOMETM is a 19.5 gauge surgical device that consists of an insulated footplate capable of penetrating the trabecular meshwork into Schlemm’s canal. An infusion and aspiration system combined with electrosurgery removes a strip of trabecular meshwork overlying Schlemm’s canal. The footplate protects underlying tissues from thermal trauma. Methods:One eye in each of 19 patients with open angle glaucoma was selected for a non–randomized prospective study of ab interno trabeculectomy utilizing the TRABECTOMETM surgical device. The TRABECTOMETM is inserted through a 1.5 mm clear temporal corneal incision and is advanced across the anterior chamber. The angle is visualized with a goniotomy lens. The footplate is inserted into Schlemm’s canal and cautery ablates a strip of the trabecular meshwork as the footplate advances in Schlemm’s canal. Results:The mean pre–operative pressures were 26.2 (±4.1) mm Hg. At day 1, 2, 3 and 4, the mean pressures were 18.9 (±10.4); 15.4 (±3.6); 16.6 (±3.5); 17.0 (±4.4) and 16.0 (±2.6) mm Hg. Complications include 100% transient hyphema, 18% localized corneal Descemets changes, 14% transient localized nasal sub–Descemets heme and one failure. Conclusions:The TRABECTOMETM surgical outcome results are encouraging. Further expanded studies are warranted.
Keywords: trabecular meshwork • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials • intraocular pressure