Tisseel Fibrin Glue vs Sutures for Conjunctival Closure in Glaucoma Drainage Implant Surgery

Glaucoma Drainage Implant (GDI) surgery is increasingly being utilized in cases of refractory glaucoma [1]. In GDI surgery, a peritomy is created in the beginning of the surgery and one of the last steps is to return the conjunctiva to its original position and secure it in place. Traditionally conjunctival closure has been accomplished by suturing the conjunctiva to the sclera with absorbable sutures, which can be one of the most time consuming steps of the surgery. Recently, Kahook and Noecker [2] described using fibrin glue in place of sutures to secure the conjunctiva after GDI surgery, and found it to decrease surgery time and decrease conjunctival inflammation, while having no effect on post-operative intraocular pressure. However, the above study had a small number of patients (28 total) and only followed patients for 3 months.