One stage adjustable sutures: practical aspects.

Strabismus surgery using one stage adjustable sutures was carried out under local anaesthesia in six patients with good results. The criteria for patient selection and the surgical technique are discussed.     

Results of a combined adjustable recession and posterior fixation suture of the same vertical rectus muscle for incomitant vertical strabismus

PURPOSE: The posterior fixation suture (fadenoperation) is an effective treatment for complicated incomitant vertical strabismus. Traditional operative methods do not permit the simultaneous use of an adjustable recession of the same muscle. METHODS: Seven patients with incomitant vertical strabismus and diplopia were treated with a combined adjustable recession and posterior fixation suture of the same vertical rectus muscle. Preoperative vertical misalignments in the primary position ranged from 4 to 10 prism diopters. Vertical incomitance from the primary position into the field of action of the recessed vertical rectus muscle ranged from 6 to 30 prism diopters (mean, 17 prism diopters). This was the sole operation in five patients and was combined with other vertical muscle surgery in two others. RESULTS: All seven patients experienced improvement in their diplopia. Five of 7 patients (71%) required postoperative adjustments to achieve orthophoria in the primary position. This combined procedure reduced large deviations in the field of action of the recessed vertical muscle in all cases. Six of 7 patients (86%) did not require prismatic correction after this operation. One patient required prism only in his reading glasses. CONCLUSIONS: A combined adjustable recession and posterior fixation suture of the same vertical rectus muscle was effective in reducing or eliminating vertical incomitant strabismus.     

Combined bilateral superior rectus muscle recession and inferior oblique muscle weakening for dissociated vertical deviation.

PURPOSE: Dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) is a common disorder that is often difficult to treat satisfactorily with extraocular muscle surgery. Weakening both elevators in a single eye is uncommonly performed because of possible severe upgaze deficiency or chin-up head posture postoperatively. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was performed that yielded 14 patients who had undergone bilateral superior rectus muscle recessions (mean 8.1 mm, range 5-10 mm) and bilateral inferior oblique muscle recession, myectomy, or anterior transposition in the treatment of DVD. Three additional patients with asymmetric inferior oblique muscle overaction or true hypertropia in primary gaze position were identified who had bilateral superior rectus muscle recessions combined with unilateral inferior oblique muscle weakening. RESULTS: Mild-to-moderate elevation deficiencies were common postoperatively but never exceeded -2 up-gaze limitation (scale 0 to -4) except in the immediate postoperative period and were not associated with persistent chin-up head posturing. Cosmetically objectionable upper eyelid retraction occurred in one patient after re-recession of a superior rectus muscle but before inferior oblique muscle surgery. Only three patients undergoing four vertical muscle surgeries had residual DVD >10 PD in primary gaze position, and none exhibited manifest dissociated strabismus warranting further treatment. CONCLUSION: Bilateral superior rectus muscle recession of up to 10 mm combined with inferior oblique muscle weakening appears to be a safe surgical approach in the management of patients with large angle or recurrent DVD. Our data further suggest that simultaneous four vertical muscle surgery may be preferred in some patients to weakening the superior rectus or inferior oblique muscles alone.     

Inferior rectus muscle recession as a treatment for vertical diplopia following cataract extraction

Background

Persistent vertical diplopia may occur after cataract surgery as a rare complication of retro- or parabulbar anesthesia. This is probably caused by structural changes in the muscles, altering muscular elasticity and function and thus complicating setting of the dosage for corrective strabismus surgery. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of strabismus surgery in this specific motility disorder.

Methods

The findings from 15 consecutive patients (six women, nine men, median age 76 years), who had undergone initial strabismus surgery in our eye clinic between 2007 and 2010 due to vertical diplopia following cataract surgery, were investigated retrospectively. In all cases, cataract surgery had been performed under retro- or parabulbar anesthesia.

Results

Preoperatively, all affected eyes (five right eyes, ten left eyes) showed hypotropia with elevation deficiency and overaction of the inferior rectus muscle and/or superior oblique muscle on down-gaze. The median vertical deviation in primary position was 9.1 deg (min. 4.6, max. 24.7), measured with the alternate prism cover test, and 8 deg (min. 3.5, max.18) at the tangent screen of Harms. In all cases, the inferior rectus muscle was recessed 3 to 6 mm (median 3.5 mm). On the first day after surgery, the median angle of squint in primary position was 2.3 deg (min. 0, max. 10.2), when measured with the alternate prism cover test, with a mean dose–effect relationship of 1.8?±?0.7 deg angle reduction per millimetre recession (median 1.9 deg/mm). In the postoperative period, eight patients examined after 2 to 20 months (median 3.5 months) showed a median vertical deviation of 5.7 deg (min. 1.7, max. 11.3), with a mean dose–effect relationship of 1.7?±?1.3 deg/mm (median 1.8 deg/mm), but the values ranged widely. Four patients were not examined but interviewed by telephone. There was no feed-back from three patients. Six of 12 follow-up patients had no complaints, three had prisms to correct a persisting angle, and three patients needed further squint surgery.

Conclusions

The efficacy of inferior rectus muscle recession for correction of hypotropia following cataract surgery with local anesthesia ranged widely. In this condition, operating on one muscle is a good option for correction of squint angles of less than 12 deg. Squint angle enlargement can occur in the postoperative course, and may necessitate further surgery.     

Rectus muscle recession and resection without scleral sutures.

PURPOSE: To eliminate the risk of scleral perforation during strabismus surgery in susceptible patients, we introduce a technique to allow predictable rectus muscle recession and resection without the placement of scleral sutures. METHODS: Three patients with thin sclera underwent rectus muscle surgery by use of a double-arm suture technique that avoids placement of sutures directly into the sclera. Two of the patients had esotropia and underwent bilateral lateral rectus muscle resections and a unilateral recess/resect operation, respectively. One of the patients had exotropia and underwent bilateral lateral rectus muscle recessions. RESULTS: All three patients achieved postoperative alignment to within 15 PD of orthotropia and had no evidence of slipped or lost muscle when examined 2 months postoperatively. The appearance of the ocular surface was excellent in all three cases. CONCLUSIONS: Predictable and secure rectus muscle recession and resection can be performed without the placement of scleral sutures in patients in whom scleral suturing may be hazardous.     

Combined adjustable rectus muscle resection--recession for incomitant strabismus.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to report the results of combined adjustable suture resection and recession of a rectus extraocular muscle in a subset of patients who are asymptomatic in the primary position but diplopic in secondary functional gaze positions. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective chart review of 12 patients who underwent a surgical procedure consisting of combined resection and recession of the same rectus extraocular muscle on adjustable suture, the amount of recession being double the amount of resection. RESULTS: The amount of incomitance reduced from a preoperative mean of 11.6 prism diopters (PD) to a postoperative mean of 2.9 PD. All 4 rectus muscles underwent operation No significant change in the primary position alignment occurred. Diplopia was eliminated in 11 of the 12 patients postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The combined adjustable suture resection and recession operation is an effective and easy procedure for treatment of this subset of patients with incomitant strabismus.     

Inferior rectus recession for vertical tropia after cataract surgery

Four patients with de novo onset of persistent vertical tropia ranging from 4 to 11 prism diopters (PD) after cataract surgery underwent inferior rectus recession. Deviations were stable and fuseable with prism preoperatively for 4 to 6 months. Three patients regained single binocular vision in all fields of gaze. Macular change developed in one eye of a diabetic patient, precluding adequate postoperative assessment. Mechanical and sensory factors, detailed assessment of pertinent preoperative findings, and intraoperative management are discussed. Previous literature is reviewed.     

Cyclic vertical deviation after ocular myositis and treatment by recession of the inferior rectus muscle

Background Cyclic strabismus is a rare disorder in which strabismus and orthotropia regularly alternate over a period of mostly 48 h. It may occur spontaneously, upon squint surgery, or in association with lesions of the central nervous system. In most cases the deviations are convergent. Methods Clinical case report. Results A 34-year-old woman with bilateral recurrent ocular myositis for 2 years had developed cyclic vertical deviation 6 months after clinical remission. A hypotropia of the left eye alternated with an orthotropia, following a 48-h rhythm. Three months after recession of the inferior rectus muscle the alternating squint had disappeared. Discussion The aetiology of cyclic eye deviations, most of them occurring in a constant rhythm, is not known. The association with lesions of the central nervous system indicates a primary central dysregulation of a “biological clock”. Their well-known occurrence, however, after squint surgery and, as in the present case, after orbital myositis, suggests that alteration of peripheral structures may contribute to a central dysregulation. Squint surgery seems to be the treatment of choice, even in rare cases with vertical deviations. Presented at the DOG, Berlin, 2003     

Refractive effect of the horizontal rectus muscle recession

Purpose To determine refractive and corneal topographic changes after horizontal rectus muscles recession. Methods In a noncomparative interventional case series, 49 eyes of 27 patients were evaluated in two groups: (1) exotropic patients (24 eyes) who underwent lateral rectus muscle(s) recession, and (2) esotropic patients (25 eyes) who underwent medial rectus muscle(s) recession. Full ophthalmic examination including cycloplegic automated refraction was carried out before, 1 and 3 months after surgery. Corneal topography was performed preoperatively and repeated at 3 months postoperatively. Results In eyes underwent medial rectus recession, there were statistically significant myopic shifts in spherical equivalent at month 1 (from + 2.09 ± 1.82 to + 1.88 ± 1.83 diopters, P = 0.03) and in astigmatic power at both month 1 (from −0.85 ± 0.67 to −1.15 ± 0.65 diopter, P = 0.04) and month 3 (from −0.85 ± 0.67 to −1.16 ± 0.65 diopter, P = 0.01). Myopic shifts were also noted following lateral rectus recession; however, there were not statistically meaningful. Significant astigmatic axis shift, which was toward with the rule astigmatism, was detected only after lateral rectus recession at both month 1 (P = 0.02) and month 3 (P = 0.02). Corneal power measured by topography was also demonstrated a statistically significant reduction (less than 0.3 diopter) after recession of either medial (P < 0.001) or lateral (P < 0.001) rectus muscle. Conclusions In spite of being statistically significant in some parts, the amounts of refractive and corneal topographic changes were not clinically remarkable. Therefore, it does not seem necessary to perform cycloplegic refraction early after horizontal rectus muscle recession; however, a precise refraction in all cases of strabismus should not be deferred later than 3 months.     

Early reoperation after vertical rectus muscle surgery.

PURPOSE: Adjustable suture strabismus surgery has a success rate between 90% and 94%. In some patients, undesirable deviations are noted in the first week after surgery. In this article, we describe a method of reoperation in the first week of the initial repair in an outpatient clinical setting. METHODS: A retrospective review of clinical records from 1990 to 1998 identified 7 patients who underwent reoperation of the original surgical procedure in a clinic setting. All patients had vertical deviations that were overcorrected and had a reversal of their diplopia. RESULTS: Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 59 months. All patients were free of diplopia and were either orthophoric or had small phoric deviations. CONCLUSIONS: Proper identification of patients with strabismus as a result of overcorrected adjustable sutures and prompt reoperation in the first week after surgery are possible and prevent the need for repeat anesthesia in the operating suite.     

Bilateral medial rectus muscle recession for divergence insufficiency pattern esotropia.

PURPOSE: We have identified a group of mostly elderly patients characterized by chronic, slowly progressive esotropia with diplopia at distance. This study was undertaken to analyze the outcomes after bilateral medial rectus muscle recessions in this group of patients with a divergence insufficiency pattern of esotropia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective consecutive case series of eight patients treated for divergence insufficiency pattern esotropia with bilateral medial rectus muscle recessions. RESULTS: Age at presentation was 44 to 77 years (mean age, 60) and symptoms of diplopia at distance had been present between 3 and 30 years (mean, 12.6). Six patients had been managed with progressively larger amounts of base-out (BO) prism in their distance correction over an average of 12.5 years. Each patient had a manifest esotropia at distance and smaller or no deviation at near. The mean preoperative esodeviation was 20.4 prism diopters (range, 12 to 35) at distance and 5.4 PD (range, 0 to 18) at near with a mean distance-near difference of 15.0 PD. Bilateral medial rectus muscle recession of 3.0 to 4.25 mm (mean 3.5) was performed on each patient. The mean postoperative esodeviation at distance was 3.4 PD (range 0 to 10) and the mean near deviation was 1.8 PD exophoria (range, 8 PD exophoria to 10 PD esotropia) with a mean distance-near difference of 5.1 PD. Three patients still required some prism in their spectacles for the relief of diplopia postoperatively (2 BO, 8 BO, 10 BO). The mean follow-up period was 8.5 months (range, 6 weeks to 46 months). CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral medial rectus muscle recession is an effective treatment for slowly progressive divergence insufficiency pattern esotropia in elderly patients. The reduction in the difference between the distance and near magnitudes of esodeviation afforded by this treatment suggests that a subtle loss of medial rectus muscle elasticity is the etiology.     

双眼内直肌后徙术矫正儿童先天性内斜视

目的 探讨先天性内斜视的手术时机、手术方法及效果。方法 回顾性分析经双眼内直肌后徙术的先天性内斜视儿童80例。结果 术前斜视角 30^△～ 80^△，平均 51 .5^△。术后正位65例，正位率81．25％；欠矫15例，欠矫率18．75％；无一例过矫。无任何并发症发生。结论 先天性内斜视应早期手术，双眼内直肌后徙术疗效好，内直肌粗壮、紧张者手术效果尤佳。     

Adjusting adjustable eye muscle sutures in anesthetized patients

This study evaluated the predictability of results by adjusting eye muscle sutures in anesthetized patients. Consideration was given to the differences in the eye positions when the patient was awake and anesthetized. Observations were made under what the anesthesiologist considered was plane two of surgical anesthesia with the eyes in a stable position. Care was taken that effects of depolarizing agents, if given, had worn off. Twenty-nine operations were performed on 28 patients. Results at six months after surgery were consistent within 5 degrees (10 PD) of orthotropia in 25 operations. There were three cases of undercorrected vision by 6 degrees in patients with esotropia. These patients required no additional surgery. One patient had a 10 degrees difference from the anticipated result.     

Unilateral lateral rectus muscle recession and medial rectus muscle resection with or without advancement for postoperative consecutive exotropia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of unilateral lateral rectus muscle recession and medial rectus muscle resection with or without advancement in treating postoperative consecutive exotropia. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review on 31 patients with consecutive exotropia who were treated with unilateral lateral rectus muscle recession and medial rectus muscle resection (17 patients) or unilateral lateral rectus muscle recession and medial rectus muscle partial resection combined with advancement (14 patients). All patients had exotropia with a less than 10 prism diopters (PD) distance near-disparity. The characteristics studied before surgery included type of esotropia surgery, detection of amblyopia, presence of an "A" or "V" pattern, dissociated vertical deviation, limitation of adduction, deviation angle measurement, and forced duction testing. Ocular alignment and status of adduction postoperatively at the last follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (61.3%) had amblyopia, 17 patients (54.8%) had limitation of adduction, 8 patients (25.8%) had dissociated vertical deviation, and 5 patients (16.1%) had an "A" or "V" pattern. The mean preoperative exodeviation was 47.3 PD. Overall 21 (67.7%) of 31 patients achieved a successful postoperative result (alignment within 10 PD of orthophoria). There was no significant difference in successful alignment in patients treated with unilateral medial rectus muscle resection compared with those treated with unilateral medial rectus muscle partial resection combined with advancement. There was no influence of amblyopia on the result. Twelve (70.6%) of the 17 patients with limited adduction preoperatively showed normalization of adduction postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral lateral rectus muscle recession and medial rectus muscle resection with or without advancement is an effective alternative for treating postoperative consecutive exotropia.     

Scleral dellen after bilateral adjustable suture medial rectus muscle resection.

Ocular complications after strabismus surgery in a large study population were recently reported. The most frequent of these complications included pseudoptosis, corneal dellen, conjunctival folds, and punctate epithelial keratopathy. We report the occurrence of a rare complication, scleral dellen, occurring in a healthy 30-year-old man after bilateral adjustable suture medial rectus muscle resection for residual exotropia.     

联合调整缝线的直肌后徙术矫正间歇性外斜视疗效观察

目的探讨间歇性外斜视的手术时机,观察调整缝线的直肌后徙术的应用效果。方法对47例间歇性外斜视患者施行联合调整缝线的直肌后徙术。结果术后随访3～12个月,44例患者术后获得正常眼位,3例欠矫者经集合训练后得到改善。结论联合调整缝线的直肌后徙术是矫正间歇性外斜视简便而有效的手术方式,可减少再次手术。