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Intermittent exotropia surgery in children: long term outcome regarding changes in binocular alignment. A study of
1Department of Ophthalmology, Teikyo University of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Surgery for intermittent exotropia in children often recurs long-term. Bilateral lateral rectus recession is preferred, but overcorrection should be avoided. Early surgery is not always necessary.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Intermittent exotropia is a common childhood strabismus.
- Surgical outcomes for intermittent exotropia require long-term evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the long-term outcome of surgical interventions for intermittent exotropia in pediatric patients.
- To compare the efficacy of different surgical techniques for intermittent exotropia.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 666 pediatric patients (≤15 years) who underwent surgery for intermittent exotropia.
- Surgical procedures included bilateral lateral rectus recession, unilateral recession-resection, and other muscle procedures.
- Outcomes were assessed at 1 month and 4 years post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Initial success (orthotropia or mini-microtropia) was achieved in 60.2% of patients at 1 month.
- At 4 years, 49.6% maintained orthotropia or mini-microtropia, while 50.4% became exotropic.
- Bilateral lateral rectus recession demonstrated better short-term and long-term efficacy compared to unilateral recession-resection.
- Optimal outcomes were observed in patients operated on before age 3 and after age 11.
Conclusions:
- Intermittent exotropia has a significant tendency to recur, progressing to permanent exotropia within 4 years post-surgery.
- Surgical goals should focus on achieving immediate orthotropia while avoiding overcorrection.
- Surgical intervention is not indicated for patients over 4 years of age unless specific criteria are met.
- Bilateral lateral rectus recession is the recommended surgical approach for intermittent exotropia.
Purpose:
To review and determine the long term outcome of surgery for intermittent exotropia in children.
Cases:
A total of 666 cases were reviewed. They were 15 years old or younger and underwent surgery for intermittent exotropia during the preceding 22 years. Bilateral recession of the lateral rectus muscles was performed in 349 cases. Unilateral recession of the lateral rectus and resection of the medial rectus muscles was performed in 298 cases. One and four muscle procedures were performed in 19 cases. The outcome was evaluated at 1 month and 4 years after surgery.
Results:
Orthotropia or mini-microtropia was achieved in 401 patients (60.2%) one month after surgery. Bilateral recession of the lateral rectus muscles was more effective than unilateral recession- resection. Out of these 401 patients, half, 199 patients (49.6%) showed orthotropia or mini-microtropia 4 years after surgery while the other half, 202 (50.4%), became exotropic. Bilateral recession of the lateral rectus muscles was also more effective in producing orthotropia or mini-microtropia on a long term basis than unilateral recession-resection. The rate of orthotropia or mini- microtropia was higher when the patients were operated before 3 years and after 11 years of age.
Conclusions:
There was a strong tendency for intermittent exotropia to recurr and drift into permanent exotropia during 4 or more years following surgery. It is advocated to aim at orthotropia during the immediate post- surgical period and to avoid overcorrection. Early surgery is not necessary when the patient is over 4 years of age. Bilateral lateral rectus recession is the preferred surgical procedure.
