Thermal cauterization of no benefit in phacotrabeculectomy

KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. — Thermal cauterization of the fistula during phacotrabeculectomy may be unnecessary as it does not appear to add any benefit to patients.

According to Patrick Hageman, MD, it has been suggested that cauterization of the fistula might result in better IOP reduction than the standard technique. However, in a retrospective review of phacotrabeculectomy cases with and without cauterization, there was no difference in visual acuity or safety outcomes.

"It appears that thermal cauterization applied to the fistula for purposes other than hemostasis makes little impact on the surgical outcomes of patients following phacotrabeculectomy," Dr. Hageman said at Kiawah Eye 2009.

In the study, there were significant improvements in visual acuity from baseline, as well as a reduction in the number of medications in both groups, but there was no statistically significant difference in outcomes at any time point in the study.

There was also no difference in mean IOP from baseline in either group and no difference between the two groups. There were more complications among patients in the cautery group, but the difference between the two groups was not significant, Dr. Hageman said.

Kiawah Eye 2010 will be held May 13-15, 2010 at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. Learn more at KiawahEye.com.