Use of compressive suture in the prevention and management of perioperative complications of glaucoma surgery

Abstract Purpose: To describe the use of compressive suture (CS) in the prevention and management of adverse events associated with glaucoma surgery. Methods: This was a descriptive, retrospective study based on information retrieved from the records of patients submitted to glaucoma surgery between 1999 and 2012 at a regional main public hospital and at a private ophthalmology clinic belonging to one of the authors. Only cases with adverse events treated with CS were eligible. Results: Compressive suture was successfully used to improve the closure of the anterior and/or lateral edge of the conjunctival flap, to limit the downward extension of filtering blebs, to prevent excessive filtration from the scleral flap edge in cases of difficult closure with conventional suture, and in patients submitted to trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy. Conclusion: Safe, low-cost and easy to perform, compressive suture is a useful tool for the prevention and management of adverse events associated with glaucoma surgery.