AIM: To investigate effect between compound and traditional trabeculectomy for the treatment of glaucoma with persistent high intraocular pressure. METHODS: Retrospectively analyzed 103 glaucoma cases (103 eyes) with persistent high intraocular pressure in our hospital from 2006/2009. All cases were divided into group A and group B. Fifty-nine eyes in group A underwent compound trabeculectomy. Forty-four eyes in group B underwent traditional trabeculectomy. The postoperative incidence of depth of anterior chamber, postoperative IOP, filtration blebs and complications were followed up and compared and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The operation was successful in all the cases. No perichoroidal space bleeding or vitreous prolapse occurred. During the follow-up of 6-24 months, the IOP was 10-21mmHg in 49 eyes in group A and 31 eyes in group B. There was significant difference between group A(83.1%,49 eyes)and group B (70.5%, 31 eyes) by SPSS 17.0(P=0.002<0.05). CONCLUSION: The compound trabeculectomy is applicable to many types glaucoma with less complications and high successful rate.