Erosion of conjunctiva over the suture knot with a leak in an eye with a non-flow restrictive aqueous drainage device

Abstract

We report a case of conjunctival erosion due to ligature suture knot exposure following Aurolab aqueous drainage device (AADI) implantation. A 48-year-old man, a known case of primary angle-closure glaucoma, had failed trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C and Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) in the right eye. The right eye had a large posterior AGV bleb with hypertropia and limitation of extraocular movement on downward gaze and uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP). An inferonasal AADI was performed uneventfully. At the 1-month postoperative visit, a small conjunctival erosion was noted over the ligature (6-0 vicryl) suture knot. However, there was no leak. Two weeks later, there was hypotony and a leak was noted at the site of the absorbed ligature. Immediate surgical repair was performed by re-ligature of the AADI tube with 8-0 vicryl and the ligature knot was placed under the scleral patch graft and the conjunctival defect was sutured. Early intervention helped in successfully healing the conjunctival erosion, reversal of the hypotony and well-controlled IOP. Adequate covering of the entire subconjunctival tube including its ligated part by a patch graft may prevent this complication.