Postoperative Suture Adjustment Research Articles

Early and delayed suture adjustments after adjustable suture strabismus surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Adjustable sutures increase the success rate of strabismus surgery. However, the optimal timing of postoperative suture adjustment remains controversial. This trial was aimed at comparing the surgical outcomes and pain scores of early or 2 - 4 h and delayed or 24 h postoperative suture adjustment in adult patients undergoing strabismus surgery. An open-label, prospective, randomized, comparative interventional study was performed in consecutive adult patients scheduled for eye muscle surgery. Patients were randomized into two groups: the early group, with suture adjustment 2 - 4 h postoperatively, and the delayed group, with suture adjustment 24 h postoperatively. Subjective pain scores during the adjustment were also analyzed. The angles of misalignment at 1 and 3 months and the success rate at 3 months postoperatively were compared. Forty-five (90%) patients completed the follow-up, including 23 (92%) in the early adjustment group and 22 (88%) in the delayed adjustment group, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 25.6 (9.5) years and a male-to-female ratio of 46.7:53.3. Thirty patients (66.7%) had exotropia, and 15 (33.3%) patients had esotropia. Both groups had comparable baseline characteristics (all P > 0.05). The mean pain scores during adjustment did not differ significantly between groups (P > 0.05). The postoperative angles of alignment were comparable between the groups before suture adjustment and at the 1- and 3-month follow-ups (all P > 0.05). The success rate in the early adjustment group was slightly higher (87.0% versus 63.6%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The success rate was comparable between the groups in patients with esotropia or exotropia (both P > 0.05). Although the early adjustment group had a slightly higher success rate, the difference was not significant. Both groups had comparable subjective pain scores during adjustment, final motor alignment, or success rate. Future clinical trials should be performed different time intervals for postoperative suture adjustment, and subjective and objective outcomes, such as diplopia and stereopsis, should be compared between patients with a first strabismus surgery and those who underwent reoperation. This could better resolve the persistent controversy related to the optimal time for suture adjustment.

A new, removable, sliding noose for adjustable-suture strabismus surgery

We describe a new removable sliding polyglactin 910 suture noose for postoperative suture adjustment following extraocular muscle surgery. No excess suture material remains after adjustment has been completed, helping to reduce discomfort, inflammation, and scarring. We have used this noose with the cul-de-sac conjunctival incision in approximately 360 patients over a period of 18 months. This report details how to fashion, use, and remove the noose.

Brimonidine and apraclonidine as vasoconstrictors in adjustable strabismus surgery

Conjunctival and episcleral bleeding can interfere with visualization of anatomic structures during strabismus surgery. In the United Kingdom, dilute adrenaline (epinephrine) is routinely used to induce vasoconstriction at the beginning of strabismus surgery. Because it causes mydriasis and mildly inhibits accommodation, it is relatively contraindicated if early postoperative suture adjustment is planned. To test whether topical alpha(2)-adrenergic agonists (brimonidine 0.2% and apraclonidine 1%) are useful alternatives to topical adrenaline (epinephrine) in adjustable suture strabismus surgery. Prospective observational pilot study. Brimonidine 0.2% or apraclonidine 1% was applied to the medial or lateral conjunctiva of 10 consecutive adult patients undergoing strabismus surgery with adjustable sutures under general anesthesia. Video images were taken before and up to 20 minutes after instillation. The surface area of ocular surface blood vessels on the acquired images was quantified at selected intervals using imaging software. Both agents induced potent transient vasoconstriction of ocular surface vessels. Within 5 minutes of application, brimonidine reduces blood vessel surface area by 69.2% (95% CI, 50.4-88); this effect persists for 20 minutes. Apraclonidine reduces vessel area by 64.6% (95% CI, 57.2%-72%) within 10 minutes and begins to wear off over the following 10 minutes. Both brimonidine and apraclonidine may be useful alternatives to topical adrenaline (epinephrine) in adjustable suture strabismus surgery.

The determinants of trichiasis recurrence differ at one and two years following lid surgery in Vietnam: A community-based intervention study

AimTo compare determinants for recurrence of trichiasis at one and two years following lid surgery in Vietnam.Study DesignCommunity-based intervention study.MethodsThis study was carried out between 2000 and 2003 in four trachoma-endemic districts of Vietnam. Trained trichiasis surgeons performed modified Cuenod Nataf lid surgery on 648 eyes of 472 patients with Trachomatous trichiasis (TT). Trained investigators collected information on ocular and lid status before surgery and at one and two years following surgery. Trichiasis recurrence was calculated after adjusting for one or both eyes of each operated individual.ResultsFifty-six eyes developed recurrence at one year with adjusted prevalence of 8.8% (95% CI 6.60-11.01). One hundred and one eyes [15.9% (95% CI 13.04-18.72)] had recurrence two years following surgery. Female gender, older age group, study area, severe grade of trachomatous scarring (TS), past history of lid surgery, postoperative suture adjustment and surgeon were risk factors for recurrence at the end of one year. Study area and previous lid surgery were risk factors for recurrence in the second year. Recurrence at one year could be predicted if study area and severity of Trachomatous Scarring (TS) are known.ConclusionsOne and two year recurrence rates with modified Cuenod Nataf lid surgeries for TT in Vietnam were acceptably low. Early recurrence could be reduced by proper case selection. However, late recurrence seems to be dependent on interaction of risk factors. Only age of the patient was the reliable predictor of recurrence.

A New Removable Sliding Noose for Adjustable-Suture Strabismus Surgery

Purpose: To describe a reliable sliding Vicryl™ noose for use in postoperative suture adjustment of extraocular muscles that can be easily removed once adjustment has been completed. Methods: We have developed a removable noose based on a lark’s head knot (cow hitch) and have used it with a cul-de-sac conjunctival incision approach in over 500 patients in the last 3 years. Fashioning, applying, and removing the noose is best shown in a video presentation. Removing the noose leaves no excess suture material.

The use of subtenon ropivacaine in managing strabismus with adjustable sutures

Background: Squint angle alterations with the use of adjustable sutures after strabismus surgery can be painful. Ropivacaine is a long-acting local anesthetic that, at low doses, produces sensory block with limited nonprogressive motor block. Method: We performed a double-blind, randomized, pilot study using subtenon ropivacaine or placebo at the time of surgery in patients undergoing adjustable suture surgery. Surgery was performed by the same surgeon in each case. Later in the day, the same surgeon adjusted the sutures. At the time of adjustment, the patient recorded pain using a linear pain score, and the surgeon recorded ease of adjustment using a linear score. The results of surgery were noted at 4 weeks. Results: Ten patients were randomized to receive ropivacaine and 11 to receive placebo. All 10 of the ropivacaine group and 9 of the placebo group had suture adjustment. In the ropivacaine group, there was a significantly lower pain score (P < .05, Mann-Whitney U test) but no significant difference in ease of adjustment. There appeared to be no demonstrable difference in the results of surgery between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Ropivacaine appears to reduce the pain of postoperative suture adjustment without adversely affecting the final outcome, although it does not appear to ease the adjustment itself. This small pilot study shows promising results in postoperative analgesia in these patients, although further larger trials are recommended. (J AAPOS 2001;5:95-7)

Randomized Clinical Trial of Penetrating Keratoplasty: Before and after Suture Removal Comparison of Intrapperative and Postoperative Suture Adjustment

The authors performed a prospective, randomized clinical trial of penetrating keratoplasty and compared visual acuity, refraction, and topography up to 15 months postoperatively (3 months after suture removal) after intraoperative and postoperative suture adjustment. Twenty-five patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty for avascular corneal pathology were randomly assigned to two groups. All surgery was done by one surgeon using the same technique (except for intraoperative suture adjustment) with suction trephination (8 mm) and a running 10-0 nylon suture. Intraoperative suture adjustment was performed in the test group and was not performed in the control group. Postoperative suture adjustment was done during the first postoperative month and up to 4 months postoperatively in all patients who had more than 3.5 diopters (D) of astigmatism. The running suture was removed at approximately 12 months postoperatively. Refraction and computed topographic analysis to compare patients with intraoperative and postoperative suture adjustment were performed at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 (before suture removal), and 15 (after suture removal) months. There was less (P = 0.004) topographic astigmatism up to 12 months postoperatively (pre-suture removal) in patients adjusted intraoperatively (mean +/- standard deviation, 1.53 +/- 0.72 D) than in patients adjusted postoperatively (2.83 +/- 1.19 D). After suture removal, at 15 months postoperatively, astigmatism was still less in the intraoperative adjustment group (1.75 +/- 1.04 D) than in the postoperative adjustment group (2.23 +/- 17.2 D), but the authors could not demonstrate statistical significance. After intraoperative adjustment, no significant change in mean astigmatism occurred, and no patient had more than a 1.18-D change in the amount of astigmatism or more than a 22 degrees change in axis (75% < 10 degrees change) after suture removal. Corneas were more regular until suture removal in the group with intraoperative adjustment, but differences decreased after suture removal. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was better in the intraoperatively adjusted group until suture removal with no significant changes in best spectacle-corrected visual acuity between 1 and 15 months. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved more slowly after postoperative adjustment and was different at 1 and 15 months (P = 0.0005). The authors demonstrated low astigmatism and good visual results at 15 months postoperatively after either intraoperative or postoperative running suture adjustment, but intraoperative suture adjustment permitted more rapid visual rehabilitation, increased safety, and increased refractive stability.

Infections, inflammations, and immune-mediated orbital disease

In recent months, many authors have described distinct surgical approaches to orbital decompression in thyroid ophthalmopathy. Comparison of outcomes data should allow the surgeon to decide on the best approach to orbital decompression in an individual patient. Patients with thyroid-associated lid retraction may also benefit from approaches that allow for postoperative suture adjustment, because alignment of the lids can be particularly challenging in these patients. The clinical evaluation of patients with thyroid disease has evolved with the recognition that magnetic resonance T2 relaxation time prolongation may correlate with an inflammatory disease phase and, perhaps, with improved response to medical management. Medical management of orbital inflammation and infection should be tailored to the specific disease process and, in many cases of infection, to the age of the patient.

Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Astigmatism and Visual Rehabilitation after Penetrating Keratoplasty with and without Intraoperative Suture Adjustment

The authors performed a prospective, randomized clinical trial to compare postoperative astigmatism and visual rehabilitation after penetrating keratoplasty with and without intraoperative suture adjustment. Twenty-five patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty for avascular corneal pathology randomly were assigned to two groups. All surgery was performed by one surgeon (ONS) using the same technique (except for intraoperative suture adjustment) with Hanna trephination (8 mm) and a running 10-0 nylon suture. Postoperative suture adjustment was done during the first postoperative month in all patients who had more than 3.5 diopters of astigmatism. Refraction and computerized topographic analysis were performed at 1 and 6 months postoperatively. Intraoperative suture adjustment significantly decreased postkeratoplasty topographic (P = 0.0001) and refractive (P = 0.0001) astigmatism and improved best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (P = 0.0019) during the first postoperative month. Seventy-seven percent of control patients (mean topographic astigmatism, 4.89 +/- 1.99 D at 1 month), but no patients who underwent intraoperative suture adjustment (mean topographic astigmatism, 1.50 +/- 0.74 D at 1 month), required at least one postoperative suture adjustment that delayed optical stability and increased postoperative complications. At 6 months postoperatively, mean topographic (P = 0.06) and refractive (P = 0.0001) astigmatism were smaller in the intraoperatively adjusted group than in the control group with postoperative suture adjustments. After intraoperative adjustment, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was better (P = 0.0168, P = 0.0434) and corneal topography was more regular (P = 0.02, P = 0.07, NS) at 1 and 6 months, respectively, than after postoperative adjustment. Visual rehabilitation with decreased postkeratoplasty astigmatism and more regular corneal topography was attained more rapidly and safely with intraoperative suture adjustment.

Postkeratoplasty Astigmatism with Single Running Suture or Interrupted Sutures

In a prospective randomized clinical trial we compared astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty with two different suture techniques between two groups of patients (38 patients). The first group (18 patients) had a 24-bite single running 10-0 nylon suture (single running suture) with postoperative suture adjustment to decrease astigmatism. The second group (20 patients) had a combination of a 16-bite running 10-0 nylon suture and eight interrupted 10-0 nylon sutures (combined running and interrupted sutures) with selective postoperative removal of interrupted sutures to decrease astigmatism. The single running suture resulted in a lower postoperative astigmatism than a combined running and interrupted suture technique (single running suture, 2.7 +/- 2.2 diopters; combined running and interrupted sutures, 3.9 +/- 2.5 diopters; P < .02). Average length of follow-up was similar in both groups (single running suture, 9.0 +/- 2.2 months and combined running and interrupted sutures, 8.4 +/- 2.2 months). Minimal length of follow-up was six months in both groups. No running sutures were broken. The adjustable single running suture technique provided greater control of astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty than a technique using a combination of a 16-bite running suture and eight interrupted sutures.

An Adjustable Single Running Suture Technique to Reduce Postkeratoplasty Astigmatism: A Preliminary Report

The authors compared postkeratoplasty astigmatism over a 4-month period after surgery in a randomized, prospective study of two groups of patients (total N = 18) who received two different suture techniques. The test group (N = 8) had a single running suture with postoperative suture adjustment; on the basis of computer-assisted topographic analysis, the suture was tightened in the flatter meridian and loosened in the steeper meridian in the first month after surgery. The control group (N = 10) had a standard double running suture procedure with no postoperative adjustment; the single running 10-0 nylon suture was removed 3 months after surgery. Four months after penetrating keratoplasty, mean (± standard deviation) astigmatism in the test group was 1.7 ± 0.7 diopters (D), and all patients had less than 2.6 D of astigmatism. In the control group, mean astigmatism was significantly higher (5.4 ± 2.4 D; range, 0.7-9.0 D; P < 0.01). The results suggest that postkeratoplasty astigmatism can be reduced with the single running suture technique accompanied by postoperative suture adjustment.