INFERIOR RECTUS RECESSION - AN EFFECTIVE PROCEDURE

Aims-To examine the postoperative stability of inferior rectus recessi on, with particular reference to the incidence of progressive overcorr ection. Methods-The results of consecutive patients undergoing inferio r rectus recession over a 3 year period were reviewed. Results-21 pati ents underwent inferior rectus recession, using an adjustable suture t echnique in all but three cases. In 16 patients additional vertical mu scle surgery was performed at the time of the inferior rectus recessio n. All patients were followed for a minimum of 3 months postoperativel y, with a mean follow up of 9.3 months. At the final postoperative vis it II patients were well aligned, eight were undercorrected, and two w ere overcorrected. In five of the eight undercorrected cases, the resi dual deviation was the result of postoperative drift in the direction of the preoperative deviation, following an initially good alignment. Review of the results failed to reveal any factor predictive for this postoperative drift. Conclusion-The risk of postoperative overcorrecti on following inferior rectus recession should be considered, but in th is study, undercorrection occurred more frequently than overcorrection . The possible reasons for overcorrection and undercorrection are disc ussed.