Phacotrabeculectomy with or without punch: preliminary results comparing the two techniques.

The authors report their experience in the combined surgery, for glaucoma and cataract, by using the Crozafon-De Laage punch. 24 patients affected by open-angle glaucoma and cataract have been enrolled in the study. 12 underwent a combined operation of phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy according to Cairns, and 12 underwent phacoemulsification and protective filtering surgery executed with the Crozafon-De Laage punch. Comparing the two methods we noted as advantage of the punch its easiness of use, through the sclerocorneal tunnel of the phacoemulsification, to create a filtering fistula; this shortened the duration of surgery. As a disadvantage of punch use we noted a lower filtering gradability as opposed to Cairns' trabeculectomy.