Mitomycin C-augmented Phacotrabeculectomy Versus Phacoemulsification in Primary Angle-closure Glaucoma: A Randomized Controlled Study

Precis: Phacotrabeculectomy yielded similar results to phacoemulsification in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering, glaucoma medications and success rates. Although releasable sutures may have reduced the risk of hypotony; complications and interventions were more common with phacotrabeculectomy. Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of phacotrabeculectomy using releasable sutures and adjunctive mitomycin C versus phacoemulsification alone in the management of PACG. Patients and Methods: In total, 63 eyes of 63 PACG patients were randomized to undergo either mitomycin C-augmented phacotrabeculectomy with tight scleral flap closure using releasable sutures aiming at no flow or phacoemulsification alone. The primary outcomes were success rates and complications. Secondary outcomes were IOP and glaucoma medications. Results: The IOP and glaucoma medications were significantly reduced at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively in both groups (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in IOP, IOP reduction, success rates, or survival times between both groups. Glaucoma medications were only significantly lower in the phacotrabeculectomy group at 1 and 3 months. The rates of postoperative interventions and complications were higher in the phacotrabeculectomy group. Complete success, defined as an IOP of 6 to 21 mm Hg on no medications and with no signs of glaucoma progression, was achieved in 58% in the phacotrabeculectomy group, compared with 62% in the phacoemulsification group (P=0.9). Only 2 eyes (6%) in the phacoemulsification group required a subsequent trabeculectomy. Conclusions: Trabeculectomy did not seem to add an advantage when combined with phacoemulsification in PACG patients and was associated with more postoperative interventions. Despite the use of releasable sutures to allow titration of the IOP postoperatively, the rate of hypotony and other complications was higher in the phacotrabeculectomy group.