Some ophthalmic pathology laboratories process trabeculectomy specimens routinely. There is roughly up to a 10% incidence of unexpected findings (subclinical iris neovascularization, inflammation, or neoplasm) in such specimens.
Additionally, if scleral spur is identified in the trabeculectomy block, then the surgeon has disinserted the ciliary body from its insertion, creating a cyclodialysis in addition to removing a trabeculectomy block. Discovery of scleral spur tissue in the trabeculectomy block may therefore be helpful in understanding persistent and profound postoperative hypotony.
The iris tissue is quite fragile. It may be placed on a flat mount (such as filter paper). It is probably best to avoid placing flimsy iris tissue on surgical sponges which may expand when contacting the fixative, thereby tearing the tissue sample.
The trabeculectomy blocks and iris fragments may be quite small. During the grossing procedure, the prosector may wish to place a droplet of eosin on the samples to permit the histology technicians to identify the tissue when it is taken from the tissue processor for embedding.
Pathologists should comment on the presence or absence of:
A neovascular membrane (arrows) lines the surface of the iris. This finding was subclinical and unsuspected before surgery.
If you have more questions about trabeculectomy specimens, please contact one of us:
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