Graft-free Ahmed tube insertion: a modified method at 5 mm from limbus

Abstract

Juan Carlos Mesa-Gutiérrez, Juan Lillo-Sopena, Anna Monés-Llivina, Silvia Sanz-Moreno, Jorge Arruga-GinebredaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, SpainObjective: 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.Keywords: surgical technique, Ahmed implant, refractory glaucoma, donor scleral graft, tube shunt device