Results of Another Modality for Extending Glaucoma Drainage Tubes

PURPOSEFor a variety of reasons, on rare occasions a surgeon needs to reposition the intraocular portion of a glaucoma drainage implant tube, but finds the tube “too short” to do so. This study describes results of a different technique for “extending” the tube (rather than replacing the entire apparatus). METHODSFour eyes of four patients required a tube “extender,” for either tube tip blockage associated with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP; n = 3), or to avoid total seton replacement after tube “cheesewiring” (n = 1). An extender was fashioned from common angiocatheter material. Postoperative complications, IOP, and need for further surgery were reviewed. RESULTSNone of the four patients required further, more invasive surgery or experienced any related postoperative complications. Final IOP averaged 11.5 ± 4.2 mmHg (range 6–16 mmHg). CONCLUSIONTube extension using angiocatheter material is a viable, cost-effective option in these difficult cases, saving the surgeon from having to expiant and replace the entire implant.