Strabismus repair in the pediatric patient

Strabismus, one of the most common eye problems in children, is the inability to focus one or both eyes on an object. Strabismus results from poor extraocular muscle coordination. Patients with strabismus undergo surgery to reduce ocular deviation, restore normal vision, cosmetically straighten the eyes, and develop sensory fusion that will maintain motor alignment. Because strabismus is a muscular problem, patients with strabismus are at increased risk for malignant hyperthermia (MH). This risk is an important perioperative consideration. The perioperative nurse must be familiar with the MH protocol and be prepared to treat a child in this emergent situation.