The effect of mitomycin C on Molteno implant surgery: a 1-year randomized, masked, prospective study

Abstract

Purpose: The authors assess whether adjunctive mitomycin C improves Molteno tube shunt surgery in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, and complication rates.

Patients and methods: Twenty-five eyes of twenty-five consecutive patients undergoing double-plate Molteno implant surgery were randomized to receive either mitomycin C (MMC) 0.4 mg/mL for 2 minutes or a control balanced salt solution in a masked, prospective study. Intraocular pressure, visual acuity, and complications were recorded 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) model was used to test the overall effect of the drug on IOP and percent change from preoperative IOP.

Results: Thirteen eyes received balanced salt solution and 12 eyes received MMC. There was no difference between the groups with respect to age, preoperative IOP, log mean angle of resolution (LogMar) visual acuity, or number of preoperative medications. Except for week 1, there were no differences between the groups at any of the clinic visits with respect to IOP and percent change from baseline IOP. Analysis of the visual acuity (LogMar) showed reduction in vision for both groups. Complications were similar in each group, as were number of postoperative hypotensive agents required.

Conclusions: Adjunct MMC does not demonstrate a significant difference in outcomes compared with placebo in pressure-ridged Molteno implant surgery. Results of this study are limited by a small number of patients in each group and a fixed dose of MMC.