Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant (BGI)
Reviewed by Lorraine North

The authors describe surgical outcomes using the BGI and compared the different techniques used. The main differences described in the implantation technique include the use of a prolene stent in the tube, or fixation of the tube to the sclera. A retrospective study of patients that underwent BGI implantation between Sept 2007 and Aug 2008 was undertaken. A total of 173 BGI procedures were performed during this time. Patients were divided into different surgical technique groups and success was defined as intraocular pressure between greater or equal to 6mmHg and less than or equal to 21mmHg after surgery. Other data included the surgeon, surgical implantation (use of prolene stent, fixation of tube to sclera, subconjunctival steroids at the end of the procedure), BGI 250 OR 350mm2, OD/OS, intraoperative complications, and the number and types of anti-glaucoma medications over time. The authors found no differences in the complications or in the success rates between the two surgical techniques. They found the overall complication rates of the BGI implantation were low and the success rates were high in their study population. 

Surgical outcomes of the Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant: differences between surgical techniques in the Rotterdam eye hospital.
Poels MMF, Niessen AGJE, de Waard PWT, Lemij HG.
JOURNAL OF GLAUCOMA
2013;22(5):363-8.