THE USE OF PROCESSED PERICARDIUM IN THE REPAIR OF CORNEO-SCLERAL FISTULAS

Explantation of glaucoma valve implants may be complicated by wound cl osure problems. Prolonged implantation of these valves can lead to dev elopment of corneo-scleral fistulas that may nor be adequately sealed with the use of sutures alone. The authors report the use of processed pericardium as tissue replacement material for the repair of such fis tulas. A 45-year-old woman underwent explantation of a Baerveldt glauc oma valve implant, resulting in the development of a corneo-scleral fi stula. To repair the fistula, processed pericardium was inserted into it and secured with 10-0 nylon sutures. Postoperatively, a good wound seal was achieved with no leakage of aqueous humor from the anterior c hamber, nor any inflammation. Processed pericardium appears to be an e ffective tissue replacement material for sealing corneo-scleral fistul as.