Comparative efficacies of 13 surgical interventions for primary congenital glaucoma in children: a network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Timely and proper intraocular pressure (IOP) management is vital to the prevention of visual impairment in children with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). Although various surgical interventions have been proposed, no well-founded evidence exists on their comparative efficacies. We aimed to compare the efficacies of surgical interventions for PCG. METHODS: We searched relevant sources up to 4 April 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) entailing surgical interventions for PCG in children were identified. A network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed, comparing 13 surgical interventions: Conventional partial trabeculotomy ([CPT] control), 240-degree trabeculotomy, Illuminated microcatheter-assisted circumferential trabeculotomy (IMCT), Viscocanalostomy, Visco-circumferential-suture-trabeculotomy, Goniotomy, Laser goniotomy, Kahook dual blade ab-interno trabeculectomy, Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C, Trabeculectomy with modified scleral bed, Deep sclerectomy, Combined trabeculectomy-trabeculotomy with mitomycin C, and Baerveldt implant. The main outcomes were mean IOP reduction and surgical success rate at postoperative 6 months. The mean differences (MDs) or odds ratios (ORs) were analyzed by a random-effects model, and the efficacies were ranked by P-score. We appraised the RCTs using the Cochrane risk-of-bias (ROB) tool (PROSPERO: CRD42022313954). RESULTS: Sixteen RCTs were eligible for NMA, including 710 eyes of 485 participants and 13 surgical interventions, which formed a network of 14 nodes comprising both single interventions and intervention combinations. IMCT was superior to CPT in both IOP reduction [MD (95% CI): −3.10 (−5.50 to −0.69)] and surgical success rate [OR (95% CI): 4.38 (1.61–11.96)]. The MD and OR comparing the other surgical interventions and intervention combinations with CPT were not statistically significant. The P-scores ranked IMCT as the most efficacious surgical intervention in terms of success rate (P-score =0.777). Overall, the trials had a low-to-moderate ROB. CONCLUSION: This NMA indicated that IMCT is more effective than CPT and might be the most efficacious of the 13 surgical interventions for management of PCG.