Long-term outcome of trabeculectomy with and without small incision cataract surgery at a tertiary eye hospital in Northern Nigeria

Aims: To report the outcome of trabeculectomy with and without small incision cataract surgery (trab-SICS) in the patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Study Design: Retrospective study. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of all eligible cases of trabeculectomy with and without SICS performed by a single surgeon. The case notes of the patients were reviewed; demographic data and clinical information were extracted. The primary outcome was intraocular pressure (IOP) at 15 months after the surgery. Success was defined as IOP <21 mmHg which can be complete if no medication is used and qualified if medication is used. Statistical Analysis: Statistical significance difference was tested using paired Student’s t test and chi-square test. The P-value of 0.05 was considered significant for this study. Results: One hundred and twelve patients who had trabeculectomy as a single procedure and combined trab-SICS were studied. The mean age of the trabeculectomy group was 42.3 years, whereas that of trab-SICS was 61.7 years. Success (IOP <21 mmHg with and without medication) was achieved in 97.4 and 94.1% of the patients after trabeculectomy and trab-SICS, respectively. There was no significant difference in success rate between the two procedures within the study period. Conclusion: Trabeculectomy with or without SICS is an effective surgical procedure for IOP control. We recommend the use of the two procedures in eligible patients.