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Published on: October 6, 2008
Infection following strabismus surgery
Bruce Michael Schnall1, Anat Feingold2
1Pediatric Ophthalmology and Ocular Genetics, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennyslvania.
Purpose Of Review:
To provide the most up to date information on postoperative infection associated with strabismus surgery, its diagnosis, management, and prevention.
Recent Findings:
Recent studies show that topical povidone-iodide is effective in reducing the bacteria colony count at the incision site and preventing contamination during strabismus surgery. Repeating povidone-iodide 5% drops after surgical preparation and presoaking the sutures in povidone-iodide reduces bacterial contamination further. There is no single postoperative day that would be best to detect the onset of a postoperative infection. Infection can follow a normal postoperative visit.
Summary:
Infection continues to be a concerning complication of strabismus surgery. Early detection and treatment is needed to obtain a good outcome. Patients and their families should be educated on the early signs and symptoms of postoperative infection and to contact their ophthalmologist if any occur.
Insights
Topical povidone-iodide effectively reduces bacterial contamination during strabismus surgery. Early detection and prompt treatment of postoperative infections are crucial for favorable outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Surgical Infections
Background:
- Postoperative infection is a significant concern following strabismus surgery.
- Prompt diagnosis and management are essential for optimal patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present current information on postoperative infections after strabismus surgery.
- To detail the diagnosis, management, and prevention strategies for these infections.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies on strabismus surgery postoperative infections.
- Analysis of data regarding bacterial contamination and prevention methods.
Main Results:
- Topical povidone-iodide significantly reduces bacterial colony counts at the surgical site.
- Additional reduction in contamination is achieved by repeating povidone-iodide drops and presoaking sutures.
- Postoperative infections can manifest at any time, with no specific day being optimal for detection.
Conclusions:
- Infection remains a notable complication of strabismus surgery.
- Early identification and intervention are critical for successful treatment.
- Patient and family education on recognizing and reporting early infection signs is vital.
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