Adjustable rectus muscle recession surgery. A follow-up study.

Fifty-six patients underwent an adjustable rectus muscle recession procedure. This procedure permits the surgeon to enhance or diminish the amount of muscle recession on the evening after surgery or the first postoperative day if cover-testing indicates an inappropriate amount of undercorrection or overcorrection. The adjustable rectus muscle recession technique seems to be a practical and effective means to change the strabismic deviation postoperatively. The procedure requires patient cooperation and is most suitable for patients age 15 years and older. The procedure has been effective in altering the angle of deviation, and this alteration has been stable during the follow-up period in most cases. In this initial series, the reoperation rate was low, postoperative alignment was excellent, and complications were minimal.