Retreatment of children after surgery for acquired esotropia: reoperation versus botulinum injection

Two viable options were compared, reoperation and botulinum toxin injection, in the management of children who need retreatment after surgery for acquired esotropia.

47 strabismic children previously operated to correct an acquired esotropia were randomised to reoperation or botulinum toxin injection. Reoperation was undertaken in 24 of these patients and botulinum toxin injection in 23 of them. The percentage net change in distance deviation, the percentage of patients with successful motor outcome, detectable fusion, and stereopsis were compared 1 year after retreatment and at last visit (average follow up: 2.9 years in reoperation group, and 2.7 years in botulinum group). The motor success rate relative to time elapsed from initial surgery was evaluated.

There was no significant difference in the motor and sensory outcomes between patients reoperated and treated with botulinum injection. The frequency of correction to within 8 prism dioptres of orthotropia was, respectively: 75% versus 69.56% at 1 year; 70.83% versus 60.86% at last visit. Botulinum injection could be more effective when performed within 3 months of initial surgery.

Botulinum injection is a rapid and safe procedure that may be as effective as reoperation in the management of children who need a secondary procedure after surgery for acquired esotropia.