Effect of the prolene ripcord suture on the baerveldt tube position: A case study

Abstract

A 42 year old Afro-Caribbean man underwent Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant (BGI) surgery for silicone oil induced glaucoma. Three months following initial surgery, the 3–0 prolene ripcord suture was removed. Anterior segment OCT demonstrates the position of the intracameral portion of the tube before and after the 3/0 prolene stent suture (PSS) removal. Ex-vivo experiments further demonstrate the variation in tube position using straight vs curved segments of 3/0, 4/0 and 5/0 PSS passed through the BGI lumen. Glaucoma tube surgeons should consider how the rigid nature of the prolene stent suture could influence the position of non-valved tubes within the eye, both during tube implantation and after prolene suture removal.

Keywords

glaucoma drainage device glaucoma ripcord suture Baerveldt tube prolene suture endothelial cell count

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