Needle elevation of the scleral flap for failing filtration blebs after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C

PURPOSE: To report the incidence of failing filtration blebs after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C and to report the outcome of needling procedures for failing filtration blebs in these eyes. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 537 eyes of 434 patients who had trabeculectomy with mitomycin C and reviewed the clinical course of 441 eyes of 338 patients with a minimum of three months of follow-up. RESULTS: In 441 eyes of 338 patients followed up for three months or more after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C, 88 (20.0%) eyes from 85 patients underwent needle elevation of the scleral flap, Forty-nine (22.4%) of 219 eyes required needle revision after trabeculectomy alone, and 39 (17.6%) of 222 eyes after trabeculectomy combined with cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation, Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) after needle revision (17.9 +/- 11.6 mm Hg) was significantly less than the mean preneedling IOP (27.1 +/- 10.4 mm Hg, P < .00001, paired Student's t test). Sixty three eyes of 60 patients had a minimum of three months of postneedling follow up, Successful pressure control, defined as an IOP of 22 mm Hg or less with or without topical glaucoma control medications, was achieved in 46 (73.0%) of 63 eyes, Unsuccessful outcomes correlated significantly with higher preneedling IOP (R = 0.28, P = .03, df = 61) and prior surgery involving conjunctival incisions (R = 0.53, P < .00001, df = 61). CONCLUSIONS: Needle elevation of the scleral flap may provide significantly long-lasting pressure reduction in eyes with failing mitomycin C blebs. Higher success rates are achieved in eyes with fewer prior conjunctival incisions, eyes requiring a single needle revision, and eyes with lower preneedling IOP.