The Effect of Subconjunctival Retention of Perfluoropropane Gas on the Success Rates of Trabeculectomy in Rabbits.
- Author:
Hee Joung JOUNG
1
;
Young Il KIM
;
Joo Hwa LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Perfluoropropane gas;
Subconjunctival space;
Trabeculectomy
- MeSH:
Blister;
Collagen;
Fibroblasts;
Intraocular Pressure;
Iridectomy;
Needles;
Postoperative Period;
Rabbits*;
Trabeculectomy*
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2001;42(3):512-518
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of subconjunctival retention of perfluoropropane gas on the success rates in trabeculectomized rabbits. METHODS: Fifthteen white rabbits were trabeculectomized by fornix-base conjunctival flap, full thickness sclerotomy and iridectomy. The right eye was control and the left eye was injected with 0.2 ml perfluoropropane gas(C3F8) into subconjunctival space through the 30 guage long needle. Each rabbit was examined for bleb morphology under slit-lamp microscope and measured for intraocular pressure by tonopen at preoperative, postoperative 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks. The results were analyzed by Wilcoxon rank sum test in SAS release 6.12 program. RESULTS: Mean gas retention time was 15+/-2 days. Intraocular pressure measured at postoerpative 2 weeks was statistically significantly lower in gas injected group than control group. At postoperative 2 weeks, fibrovascularization was more prominent in control group than gas injected group. Fibroblast proliferation and collagen tissue formation were more prominent in control group than gas injected group at postoperative 6 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Subconjunctival perfluoropropane gas(C3F8) bubbles, via "spacer" effect, aid the maintenance of filtering blebs in the early postoperative period. This technique may be useful in augmenting or salvaging blebs at high risk of failure.
