Adjustable suture strabismus surgery.

The adjustable muscle recession procedure is described. The criteria for patient selection are reviewed as well as the surgical results during the past 5 years when the technique has been in active use. The philosophy behind the adjustable suture technique is the following: a procedure which would allow the surgeon to bring ocular alignment to a favorable position at the time of the first postoperative dressing change would be of significant value. Adjustable suture surgery is just such a technique. It does not insure a successful result. The ophthalmologist must still decide upon the preferred eye position. The surgeon is merely allowed to come closer to his desired immediate postoperative alignment by the ability to adjust muscle position after surgery.