Effect of intraoperative application of chemically defined bioadhesive powder to prevent scar formation after trabeculectomy in rabbit eyes.

Abstract

Purpose : To investigate the effect of chemically defined bioadhesive (CDB) powder, containing dextran and polylysine, in preventing postoperative tissue adhesion following trabeculectomy in rabbit eyes.<div id="accel-snackbar" style="left: 50%; transform: translate(-50%, 0px); top: 50px;"> </div>

Methods : In six rabbit eyes, trabeculectomy was performed with a 3*3-mm scleral flap and fornix-based conjunctival incision. In three eyes, CDB powder was applied under the conjunctiva and scleral flap, which was gelled by dropwise addition of a balanced salt solution (CDB group). Three eyes served as a control group (non-CDB group). Slit-lamp examination, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) were performed at day 7, and 1, 2, and 4 months postoperatively. The eyes were enucleated for histological evaluation at 4 months postoperatively.<div id="accel-snackbar" style="left: 50%; transform: translate(-50%, 0px); top: 50px;"> </div>

Results : A smooth bleb without significant inflammation or adhesion was formed by the gelled CDB, and the AS-OCT revealed the bleb formation for up to 4 months. In contrast, the bleb collapsed at 1 month postoperatively in the control group. The postoperative IOP in the CDB group tended to be lower than that of the control group, however without a statistically significant value. The histological examination did not reveal excess connective tissue or collagen fibers in the CDB group compared to the control group.<div id="accel-snackbar" style="left: 50%; transform: translate(-50%, 0px); top: 50px;"> </div>

Conclusions : CDB powder was effective in inhibiting postoperative adhesion formation after trabeculectomy for 4 months in rabbit eyes. CDB can be a candidate for adhesion preventing material in filtration surgery.<div id="accel-snackbar" style="left: 50%; transform: translate(-50%, 0px); top: 50px;"> </div>

This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.