Long-term results after bimedial posterior fixation sutures for infantile esotropia

Between 1984 and 1989, 79 patients were reexamined an average of 8 years after bimedial rectus muscle posterior fixation sutures. Patients who had to be operated additionally for vertical or cyclovertical motility disorders were excluded from the study. Seventy-five percent of the patients showed a residual deviation in the alternating prism and cover test of up to 5°. With Bagolini striated glasses 60 patients were found to have simultaneous perception at near and distance. The effects on convergence and lateral gaze were examined. After completed surgical therapy consecutive exotropia was found in 5% of all cases. In every 5th patient a reoperation was required. The study shows that bilateral posterior fixation suture of the medial rectus muscles leads to good long-term results in correcting infantile esotropia. Compared to other surgical techniques, significant advantage results from the low number of consecutive exotropias.