Molteno3

The new Molteno3™ is the result of 30 years of clinical expertise with the tube and plate principle pioneered by Professor Anthony Molteno. This new design has demonstrated improved surgical utility and more effective treatment of glaucoma with less hypotensive medication.

Design and Usage

• Larger more flexible plate.
• Available in two sizes.
• Low profile plate.
• Single quadrant surgery.
• 20% faster surgery time.
• Staged bleb formation.
• Improved drainage with thin walled bleb.

Storage and Shelf-life

When properly stored, the contents of the pouch are sterile for five years after the sterilization date, unless the package is damaged or opened.

Indications

Molteno and Molteno3™ Implants are used to reduce the intraocular pressure in severe and complex cases of glaucoma where conventional drainage procedures have failed or offer little prospect of success. The surgeon must weigh up the risks and benefits in each case.

Indications include:

• Failure of previous drainage.
• Glaucoma associated with aphakia, trauma and uveitis.
• Neovascular glaucoma.
• Infantile and juvenile glaucoma including cases associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome and neurofibromatosis.
• Adrenal primary glaucoma.

Contraindications

• Intraocular infection. Molteno and Molteno3™ Implants SHOULD NOT BE USED in patients with an intraocular infection.
• Rheumatoid arthritis, scleritis and immune corneal melt syndromes. In these conditions there is a strong tendency for the tissues in the vicinity of the implant to erode. This may result in extrusion of the implant and loss of the eye.
• Scleral Buckle. The placement of a Molteno or Molteno3™ Implant may interfere with the subsequent surgical treatment of detachment of the retina.

Surgical Techniques

Delayed Drainage

Drainage of aqueous may be delayed by tying an absorbable suture such as 5.0 Vicryl, the "Vicryl-tie", around the translimbal tube of the implant close to the plate. This allows time for the formation of a thin bleb lining, the ‘preformed bleb’, in the tissues around the plate. When the Vicryl-tie dissolves 4 to 5 weeks after operation the tube opens and aqueous drains into the ‘preformed bleb’ effectively preventing post-drainage hypotony. During this time the IOP is controlled by hypotensive medication supplemented, if necessary, by making a relieving slit in the side of the translimbal tube the ‘Sherwood slit’. This slit acts as a safety valve and releases aqueous if the IOP rises above normal levels. It ceases to function about 4 weeks after operation around the time the Vicryl-tie dissolves.

Immediate Drainage

Immediate drainage may be preferable where the eye is actutely inflamed and when immediate reduction of IOP is required. Examples include acute neovascular glaucoma or glaucoma associated with uveitis. Use of a Pressure Ridge Molteno Implant in such cases reduces the risk of postoperative hypotony.

Warnings

A high level of surgical skill is necessary for the insertion of Molteno and Molteno3™ Implants. The surgeon should have observed and assisted with several previous implantation procedures and successfully completed one or more courses on Molteno Implant surgery prior to undertaking the treatment of glaucoma with Molteno or Molteno3™ Implants.

Prior to surgery the surgeon must inform any prospective patients, or their representative, of the possible complications associated with the use of Molteno or Molteno3™ Implants.

Hypotensive medication after Molteno Implant surgery

When the IOP is kept within normal limits there is a thinning of the bleb lining with a gradual and progressive fall in IOP. If the IOP is well controlled after Molteno / Molteno3™ Implant surgery (by hypotensive agents if necessary), there is a long term tendency for the IOP to fall and the need for hypotensive medication to decrease. On average, about 50% of cases need some hypotensive medication in the first year after Molteno / Molteno3™ Implant surgery. This proportion falls progressively to less than 20% after 5 years. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, beta-blockers and adrenergic agents are highly effective hypotensive agents after Molteno Implant surgery.

CAUTION: Miotics, prostaglandin analogues and other local vasodilating agents may cause elevation of IOP after implant surgery and should be avoided.

Precautions

• DO NOT soak the implant in any solution other than a sterile balanced salt solution or sterile normal saline.
• AVOID chemical contamination.
• DO NOT store the implant at a temperature greater than 110 F (44 C).
• HANDLE THE IMPLANT CAREFULLY. Rough or excessive handling may damage the implant.

Complications

As with any surgical procedure there are risks involved. Potential complications accompanying Molteno Implant surgery may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Choroidal detachment.
• Retinal detachment.
• Expulsive hemorrhage.
• Pupillary block.
• Lenticulo-ciliary block.
• Shallowing and flattening of the anterior chamber.
• Intraocular infection.
• Diplopia.
• Loss of central vision.
• Hypotony.
• Corneal endothelial damage.

Adverse reactions

Molteno and Molteno3™ Implants are commonly used in patients with pre-existing ocular pathology, in many cases associated with general disease e.g. diabetes. Adverse reactions have been observed and include:

• Corneal endothelial damage when the tube touches the corneal endothelium.
• Breakdown of the tissues overlying the bleb.
• Diplopia when the placement of the implant interferes with the action of the extraocular muscles.
• Corneal decomposition.
• Cystoid macula oedema.
• Retinal detachment.
• Intraocular infection.

Utilization and Implantation

The Molteno and Molteno3™ Ophthalmic Ltd, Molteno3™ Implants are supplied STERILE in a dry heat sealed package. The inner package is sterilized with moist heat and should be opened under sterile conditions only.

When properly stored, the contents of the pouch are sterile for five years after the sterilization date, unless the package is damaged or opened.

Before using the implant, open the box and inspect the implant, checking that it is of the correct type and that it is not damaged. Handle the implant carefully. Rough or excessive handling may damage the implant.

A variety of surgical techniques may be employed during the placement of a Molteno3™ Implant. The surgeon is best advised to use the methods that his training and judgment dictate to be best for the patient.

The implant package contains peelable labels that display the implant type and serial number, etc. These labels are for convenience in maintaining records and reporting results. They are designed to be affixed to the patient’s hospital chart, the physician’s card and the return card.

Reporting

• Adverse reactions and, or sight threatening complications that may reasonably be regarded as implant related or were unexpected should be reported to your distributor.
• Surgeons are encouraged to report such events in order to identify any emerging problems and to document the long-term effect of Molteno and Molteno3™ Implants.
• Contact your distributor for the proper forms to report adverse reactions and, or sight threatening complications that may reasonably be regarded as implant related.

The relevance of the reimbursement codes depends on indications of use and geographic region. Please use this hotline to determine what the guidelines are for your area. IOP Reimbursement Hotline 1.888.700.9005

Coming Soon

Surgicial Guides

Not Available

White Papers

• Update on Tube-Shunt Procedures for Glaucoma

Case Studies

• Neovascular Glaucoma
• Primary Open Angle Glaucoma