[Surgical treatment of strabismus in children (a 12-year study)]

A group of 2205 operations of strabismus in the course of 12 years reveals a clear predominance of operations of dynamic strabismus (94%), as compared with surgery of paralytic strabismus and ocular torticollis on account of nystagmus (6%). This fact provides evidence of a marked ratio of a non-paralytic aetiology of strabismus in the child population. In esotropia, the most frequent type of strabismus, the authors consider as most suitable the technique of weakening of the inner rectus muscles by a dosed elongation according to Gonin-Hollwich, as compared with the classical retroposition of this muscle. In exotropia the authors recommend reinforcing operations only or in combination with a weakening operation of the rectus muscles. The gradual development of application of the technique of surgery of the hyperfunctional lower oblique muscle is in favour of treble partial myotomy (elongation). They operate paretic strabismus when the IIIrd, IVth, VIth nerve are affected and supranuclear paresis of the levators by a complex procedure incl. transposition operations of the functional muscles. The authors operate ocular torticollis after a careful analysis of the congenital nystagmus, using special techniques on the rectus and oblique muscles which adjust the position of the head and bulbs.