Ripcord adjustable suture technique for use in strabismus surgery

Adjustable sutures in strabismus surgery may be difficult or impossible in poorly cooperative patients. An adjunct suture technique that allows a 1-st ep, all-or-nothing, preprogrammed adjustment in patients not considered goo d candidates for standard postoperative adjustable sutures is described. Tw elve patients underwent adjustable strabismus surgery using the ripcord tec hnique. Six patients had unacceptable alignment after surgery. In 5 of thes e, alignment was successfully adjusted. The ripcord adjustable suture techn ique is effective and is well tolerated by patients.