Abstract
ABSTRACTAll across the world, glaucomatologists are adopting broader use of glaucoma drainage implants even as a primary surgical modality. To avoid tube exposure, which may predispose the eye to endophthalmitis, the implanted tube must be covered by a patch graft. However, these patch grafts also carry a high rate of progressive thinning and erosion, which is believed to result from the lack of cellular infiltration from the surrounding host conjunctival stroma and poor integration of these patch grafts to the host tissue. An ideal patch graft should offer good tensile strength, be suitable for tectonic support, and have biological activities to promote cellular infiltration by the surrounding host conjunctival stroma, thus reducing progressive allogeneic patch graft thinning/erosion. This review talks about various materials and modalities used for an exposed tube repair.How to cite this article: Oana S, Vila J. Tube Exposure Repair. J Current Glau Prac 2012;6(3):139-142.
Highlights
More than three decades after the addition of tubes in the glaucoma surgical armamentarium, tube implantation technique has gained numerous adepts worldwide and various designs have been invented in order to improve its efficacy and lower the complications
The growing confidence in glaucoma drainage device implants is accredited by the recent results of the tube vs trabeculectomy study
After 5 years of follow-up, shunt surgery proved a higher success rate compared to trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC)
Summary
Glaucomatologists are adopting broader use of glaucoma drainage implants even as a primary surgical modality. To avoid tube exposure, which may predispose the eye to endophthalmitis, the implanted tube must be covered by a patch graft. These patch grafts carry a high rate of progressive thinning and erosion, which is believed to result from the lack of cellular infiltration from the surrounding host conjunctival stroma and poor integration of these patch grafts to the host tissue. An ideal patch graft should offer good tensile strength, be suitable for tectonic support, and have biological activities to promote cellular infiltration by the surrounding host conjunctival stroma, reducing progressive allogeneic patch graft thinning/erosion. This review talks about various materials and modalities used for an exposed tube repair.
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