[A comparison of the long-term results and complications of trabeculectomy]. / Compararea rezultatelor pe termen lung si a complicatiilor trabeculectomiei.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Comparing the efficiency and incidence of postoperative complications of classical limited trabeculectomy (30-35 degrees trabecular excision) and large and adapted trabeculectomy (60-120 degrees). METHOD: A prospective study of 40 patients with symmetric bilateral glaucoma in whom limited trabeculectomy was performed in one eye and large and adapted trabeculectomy in the opposite eye. All operations were performed by the same surgeon, and the follow up interval was 4.2 years. RESULTS: Postoperative and long-term pressure drop are similar for both types of trabeculectomy. Following limited trabeculectomy the incidence of postoperative complications is 30% lower, the incidence of severe complications is very low and patient's functional rehabilitation is faster. CONCLUSIONS: Except for the clinical conditions where IOP has to be decreased to very low levels (below an intraocular pressure tolerance level of 11-12 mmHg) when a large trabeculectomy is required, limited trabeculectomy is to be preferred as it is safer and obviously beneficial.