PURPOSE: Releasable scleral flap sutures have been effectively used with trabeculectomy to provide a safer postoperative course. This review will assess the indications for using releasable sutures, with the consideration of their advantages and disadvantages, after trabeculectomy. METHODS: A review of the literature provided the most common releasable suture techniques. RESULTS: Releasable scleral flap sutures reduce the incidence of complications of early postoperative overfiltration after trabeculectomy. As a result, there are fewer cases that might require reformation of the anterior chamber and drainage of suprachoroidal fluid. In contrast to performing laser suture lysis; there is no need for a laser, suture visibility under the conjunctiva is irrelevant, and no contact lens is required. CONCLUSIONS: The use of releasable scleral flap sutures in guarded filtration surgery safely provides an effective and simple way of titrating intraocular pressure postoperatively. It allows the transition from a relatively low flow state to a higher rate of subconjunctival filtration to achieve a satisfactory long-term outcome of glaucoma surgery.
PURPOSE: Releasable scleral flap sutures have been effectively used with trabeculectomy to provide a safer postoperative course. This review will assess the indications for using releasable sutures, with the consideration of their advantages and disadvantages, after trabeculectomy. METHODS: A review of the literature provided the most common releasable suture techniques. RESULTS: Releasable scleral flap sutures reduce the incidence of complications of early postoperative overfiltration after trabeculectomy. As a result, there are fewer cases that might require reformation of the anterior chamber and drainage of suprachoroidal fluid. In contrast to performing laser suture lysis; there is no need for a laser, suture visibility under the conjunctiva is irrelevant, and no contact lens is required. CONCLUSIONS: The use of releasable scleral flap sutures in guarded filtration surgery safely provides an effective and simple way of titrating intraocular pressure postoperatively. It allows the transition from a relatively low flow state to a higher rate of subconjunctival filtration to achieve a satisfactory long-term outcome of glaucoma surgery.