Effectiveness and predictability of tendon lengthening procedures

A retrospective study was performed on the results of surgery in infantile esotropia with the aim of comparing recessions with a loop (a procedure in which the effect of a recession is increased by attaching the muscle to the globe with an intervening loop of suture to lengthen the tendon) to standard recession operations. The results of surgery were examined in 188 cases, of which 41 had been treated using a loop alone and 38 using a loop combined with a recession. The loop or sling procedure was found to be as predictable as conventional surgery and effective in increasing the amount of correction obtained.