"Bleb window"-pexy for the management of symptomatic, oversized blebs

Surgical Management for Refractory Bleb Dysesthesia

Purpose

To present long-term results of modified bleb-limiting conjunctivoplasty as a successful treatment for intractable bleb dysesthesia and to review the literature on the surgical management of dysesthetic bleb.

Methods

Consecutive case series and literature review. We present four cases of surgically reduced painful blebs. Our technique consisted of the following steps: (1) conjunctival, radial incision to the bare sclera in the desired limit of the bleb; (2) suturing with buried, interrupted sutures at the nearest edge of the filtering bleb; (3) lower limbal peritomy including unwanted area of the extended bleb; (4) dissection and removal of the underlying fibrous tissue when present; (5) conjunctival and resorbable sutures. In addition, a systematic literature review was performed. Only reports presenting outcomes of surgical treatment of bleb dysesthesia after filtering procedure were included in review.

Results

Four eyes were included consecutively in the study in a period of 4 years. On average, they developed circumferential bleb dysesthesia 9.3 ± 4.7 months after uneventful combined phacotrabeculectomy with Mitomycin C as primary procedure. Surgical reduction was decided after failure of lubricants in controlling ocular discomfort. Two cases showed a dense fibrous tissue beneath the conjunctiva that was excised to ensure filtration. In all cases, a rapid disappearance of symptoms with very good aesthetic and functional outcome was observed. After 12-month follow-up, patients remained asymptomatic and maintained intraocular pressure of 10.7 ± 1.2 mmHg without treatment. A systematic review of the literature obtained 15 eligible case series (n = 123) with rates of success within 46-100%, favoring less aggressive approaches to reduce bleb size.

Conclusion

Bleb dysesthesia is a rare complication of filtering glaucoma surgery. This modified bleb-limiting conjunctivoplasty technique (with removal of subjacent fibrous tissue if present) is able to target the underlying etiology providing ocular discomfort relief while maintaining bleb function and may be considered as first-choice surgical treatment.

Surgical technique for excisional bleb revision using a rotational conjunctival flap for a large conjunctival defect

Bleb dysesthesia is a common but under recognized late complication of trabeculectomy, sometimes requiring surgical revision if conservative measures fail. We describe in detail a surgical technique for closure of a large conjunctival defect following bleb excision for refractory dysesthesia. Two subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil injections were given to improve bleb function. Eight months post-operatively, the intraocular pressure is well controlled on two agents, and the patient has had resolution of dysesthesia.

Expanded indications for transconjunctival trabeculectomy flap suturing: postoperative choroidal effusion and dysesthesia

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of transconjunctival trabeculectomy flap suturing (TTFS) in improving choroidal effusions and bleb dysesthesia resulting from overfiltration after trabeculectomy.

DESIGN

Retrospective review.

PARTICIPANTS

The study involved 15 eyes of 15 patients.

METHODS

Patients underwent TTFS for choroidal effusions and bleb dysesthesia following trabeculectomy using mitomycin C. The scleral flap was sutured through the conjunctiva as an outpatient clinic procedure.

RESULTS

There were 11 patients who had choroidal effusions and 4 patients were identified with dysesthesia. The average duration of choroidal effusion prior to TTFS was 2.1 ± 2.3 months and 3 ± 2 months in the dysesthesia group. At the final follow-up (25 ± 17 months) the mean intraocular pressure improved from 4.1 ± 2.1 mm Hg before suturing to 8.1 ± 3.6 mm Hg (p < 0.007) for the patients with choroidal effusion and from 4.2 ± 0.6 mm Hg to 8. 7 ± 3.5 mm Hg (p = 0.05) for the patients with dysesthesia. In both groups, resolution of the signs and symptoms was achieved in all cases. The mean time to resolution of choroidal effusions was 5.5 ± 8.6 weeks and the mean time to resolution of dysesthesia was 2 ± 0.8 weeks. None of the patients had serious complications such as failure of the trabeculectomy or visual loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Transconjunctival suturing of the trabeculectomy scleral flap is a simple and effective surgical method for the treatment of cases of choroidal effusions or dysesthesia resulting from trabeculectomy.