The Effect of Surface Area Expansion with Pericardial Membrane (Preclude??) in Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implant Surgery

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implant with and without surface area expansion using pericardial membrane (Preclude) in the treatment of complicated glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten eyes of AGV implant surgery using pericardial membrane (Preclude) that were designed to have surface area of 300 mm (e-AGV group) and 10 eyes of AGV implant surgery without surface area extension (AGV group) were enrolled in this prospective, randomized controlled trial study. RESULTS: Two (20%) of 10 eyes in the e-AGV group, and 8 (80%) of 10 eyes in the AGV group experienced the hypertensive phase (P = 0.007). Complete success rate was 90% in the e-AGV group and 70% in the AGV group (P = 0.291). Mean number of preoperative antiglaucoma medication was 2.4 +/- 0.5 and 1.9 +/- 0.3 for the e-AGV and AGV groups, respectively, and that of postoperative antiglaucoma medication was 0.1 +/- 0.3 and 0.4 +/- 0.7 for the e-AGV and AGV groups, respectively, at final follow-up (P = 0.229). CONCLUSION: Surface area expansion with pericardial membrane (Preclude) in AGV implant surgery resulted in a statistically significantly lower rate of hypertension without causing any postoperative complications.