Needle track technique in strabismus surgery

Abstract

Aims/Purpose: Scleral perforation during the passage of suture needle is a known complication of strabismus surgery.[1–4] The present study was conducted as a pilot study to evolve a safe and easy technique of passing the suture needle through the sclera. A scleral tunnel was created with a 26‐guage needle through which the suture needle was passed.Methods: After taking clearance from the Institutional Ethics Committee, an interventional study was carried out on twenty consenting patients. A tunnel through approximately half the thickness of the sclera was created with the help of a bent 26‐gauge needle. The suture needle was then passed through this tunnel. Rest of the steps of the surgery were carried out in the conventional manner. In a control group of same number of patients, the surgery was performed in the conventional method. Both the groups were followed up for any complications. Ease of passing suture and surgeons' satisfaction with the technique was noted on a 5‐point Likert scale.Results: None of the patients in either group suffered from any complications. Four surgeons participated in the study. The average Likert scale score of the surgeons for satisfaction with the technique was 5 on a scale of 5. The score for ease of passage of suture needle was 5 on a score of 5.Conclusions: The needle track is an easy technique to perform which eases the passage of suture needle through the sclera. This will increase the confidence of Ophthalmologists, specially the residents in performing strabismus surgery.