A novel surgical technique to prevent postoperative Ahmed valve tube exposure through conjunctiva: tenon advancement and duplication

Abstract

Background and objective: To present and evaluate a novel surgical technique to prevent exposure of the Ahmed valve implant tube (New World Medical, Rancho Cucamonga, CA) through conjunctiva in congenital glaucoma called "combined short scleral tunnel technique with Tenon advancement and duplication."

Patients and methods: Patients with failed previous congenital glaucoma surgeries were divided into two groups. In group 1, 32 eyes of 28 patients with a mean age of 8.82 +/- 5.39 years underwent classic Ahmed valve implant surgery. In group 2, 28 eyes of 24 patients with a mean age of 8.79 +/- 5.55 years underwent the novel combined short scleral tunnel with Tenon advancement and duplication technique.

Results: After a mean 31.68 +/- 9.25 months of follow-up, conjunctival tube exposure was seen in 3 patients (9.4%) in group 1. There was no conjunctival tube exposure in group 2 after a mean 34.96 +/- 7.93 months of follow-up.

Conclusion: The combined short scleral tunnel with Tenon advancement and duplication technique is able to prevent conjunctival tube exposure after Ahmed valve implantation surgery in patients with congenital glaucoma.