Preservation of anterior ciliary vessels during strabismus surgery: a nonmicroscopic technique

Preservation of anterior ciliary vessels (ACVs) during strabismus surgery using microscopic dissection techniques and the operating microscope has been previously described. We describe a technique using standard loupe magnification for vessel preservation, in 77 patients, ages 7 months to 69 years, who had surgery between January 1989 and September 1990. ACVs, with a small sheath of connective tissue, were dissected off the surface of the muscles and tendons using blunt and sharp dissection with Knapp iris hooks and Vannas scissors. Key elements of the dissection were sufficient separation of the vessel complex from the anterior tendon insertion and the use of blunt rather than sharp dissection. We successfully preserved 125 ACVs in 97 muscles. Ninety-five vessels were saved with 71 recessions, 14 with 13 resections, and 16 with adjustable sutures. The success rate of surgery was 85% in surgeries done either with or without anterior ciliary preservation. Vessel dissection time averaged 5 to 10 minutes per muscle. ACV preservation can be easily and successfully performed in routine strabismus cases. The procedure does not require the operating microscope and can be done under standard loupe (1.5 to 3.0 x) magnification. This procedure theoretically reduces the risk of anterior segment ischemia in situations where the patient is thought to be at significant risk for this complication.