Laser Tube Ligature Release Following Aqueous Shunt Implantation in Young Children

The implantation of non-valved aqueous shunting devices in children is often complicated by intraocular pressure elevation in the early postoperative period, during which time the tube is closed with a temporary suture ligature to avoid hypotony. Release of a polyglactin suture ligature using conventional laser lysis is not possible in young children in the clinic setting. The authors describe a minimally invasive technique using a portable green diode (532-nm) laser delivered through a standard endoprobe and a Hoskins laser suture lysis lens to disrupt a polyglactin suture ligature following pars plana aqueous shunt implantation in a young child.