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Long-term surgical outcomes and factors for recurrence after unilateral lateral rectus muscle recession
In Jeong Lyu1, Kyung-Ah Park2, Sei Yeul Oh2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Department of Ophthalmology, Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Unilateral lateral rectus muscle recession (ULR) shows good long-term success for intermittent exotropia (IXT). However, larger deviations (20-24 PD) increase recurrence risk in children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Strabismus Surgery
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
Background:
- Intermittent exotropia (IXT) is a common strabismus in children.
- Surgical outcomes of unilateral lateral rectus muscle recession (ULR) require long-term evaluation.
- Identifying risk factors for recurrence is crucial for managing IXT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term surgical outcomes of ULR in children with small to moderate angle IXT.
- To identify significant risk factors associated with recurrence after ULR.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study included 214 patients with basic IXT (15-24 PD) who underwent ULR.
- Success rates were evaluated at 2 years and final follow-up (mean 3.9 years).
- Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses identified recurrence risk factors.
Main Results:
- The 2-year postoperative success rate was 92.5%, and the final follow-up success rate was 83.2%.
- No instances of overcorrection were reported.
- Preoperative exodeviation of 20-24 PD was a significant risk factor for recurrence (OR=3.265, p=0.034).
Conclusions:
- ULR provides good long-term alignment for IXT patients with 15-24 PD.
- Children with larger preoperative deviations (20-24 PD) have a poorer prognosis compared to those with 15-19 PD.
Aim:
To evaluate long-term surgical outcomes and risk factors for recurrence after unilateral lateral rectus muscle recession (ULR) in children with small to moderate angle intermittent exotropia (IXT).
Methods:
214 patients with basic type IXT of 15-24 prism dioptres (PD) who underwent ULR were included. The main outcome measure was success rate at 2 years after surgery and at final follow-up. The risk factors related to recurrence were evaluated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses.
Results:
Success rate at postoperative 2 years was 92.5% and at final examination after a mean follow-up of 3.9 years was 83.2%. No overcorrection was observed. Preoperative exodeviation of 20-24 PD was the significant risk factor for recurrence according to both univariable (OR=3.577, p=0.022) and multivariable analysis (OR=3.265, p=0.034).
Conclusions:
The overall long-term successful alignment rate of ULR for 15-24 PD of IXT was good. However, patients with 20-24 PD of IXT showed worse prognosis compared with 15-19 PD of IXT.

