The role of mitomycin C and porcine extracellular matrix in phacotrabeculectomy

Purpose: To compare between mitomycin C alone, porcine extracellular matrix alone, and combined low dose mitomycin C with porcine extracellular matrix in term of efficacy and safety in phaco-trabeculectomy surgery. Study design: Prospective comparative. Methods: Sixty eyes of 60 patients complaining of primary open angle glaucoma and cataract, undergoing phaco-trabeculectomy, were distributed into three groups: group I: surgery was augmented with mitomycin C, group II with porcine extracellular matrix, and group III with porcine extracellular matrix combined with low dose mitomycin C. Intraocular pressure was evaluated, postoperatively, at day 1, week 1, and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Bleb vascularity, pre- and post-operative intraocular pressure lowering medications, success of IOP control and complications were also evaluated. Results: After 12 months, the mean preoperative intraocular pressure (mm Hg) improved from 30.85 ± 4.7, 33.8 ± 4.2, and 31.05 ± 5.4 mm Hg, in groups I, II, and III respectively, to 13.8 ± 4.7 (55.2%), 15.2 ± 4.8 (55%), and 13 ± 4.9 (58.1%) (p > 0.05). Success of IOP control, postoperative IOP lowering medications and complications were comparable (p > 0.05). Bleb vascularity was significantly different (p