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8/20/07

Technology Lets Surgeons Utilize Smallest Catheter Ever Inserted in Human Body

...On July 26th, 60-year-old Stephen D’Orio, of Plainview, Long Island, became the first patient in the greater New York area to undergo a breakthrough surgery known as canaloplasty. This is a new, FDA-approved interventional procedure for the treatment of open angle glaucoma. Using the latest technology, the canaloplasty procedure is designed to restore the eye’s natural fluid balance and IOP. During the minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon inserts a microcatheter through a small incision in the eye to enlarge the main drainage channel and its associated collector channels. The surgeon places and tightens a small suture inside the canal to maintain the opening so it can function normally again. This combination of dilation, suture placement and tightening helps to restore the eye’s natural drainage capability and aids the eye in maintaining normal intraocular pressure.

According to Craig Marcus, MD, FACS, the surgeon who operated on Mr. D’Orio, “Canaloplasty is a wonderfully exciting new procedure that not only allows us to restore the eye’s natural drainage system and lower IOP, but we may also be able to reduce the need for costly medications.” Dr. Marcus explained that following this new type of surgery, many patients don’t need the medications they used previously to control IOP. And, he added, many patients are not able to tolerate the mix of medications that are prescribed for this condition, so canaloplasty offers a gentler, more affordable option for the patient who is deemed a successful candidate.

Aside from medications, which must be taken daily and can be very expensive, a more traditional and invasive type of glaucoma surgery called trabeculectomy could be considered as a potential treatment option…however, based on data reported in peer reviewed journal articles, these traditional procedures can result in a higher rate of postoperative complications.

When compared to the previously mentioned , more traditional surgery, canaloplasty’s use of a microcatheter to access and restore the natural structure anatomy of Schlemm’s canal results in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure.

Now two weeks post-surgery, Dr. Marcus reports that Mr. D’Orio’s IOP has dropped well within the normal range. Had there been no intervention, Mr. D’Orio would have most certainly lost his vision.

During today’s press conference, Dr. Marcus showed footage of the procedure, which can sometimes be completed in less than one hour. And, Mr. D’Orio reported that he is very happy to be rid of his daily dose of four glaucoma medications.