Intraoperative conversion rate to a large, limbal opening in minimally invasive strabismus surgery (MISS).

BACKGROUND

To evaluate which factors predispose to an intraoperative conversion to the usual limbal approach in minimally invasive strabismus surgery (MISS).

METHODS

This study included 451 consecutive patients operated on by one surgeon at Kantonsspital St Gallen, Switzerland, with minimally invasive rectus muscle surgery between February 2003 and December 2007. We evaluated the intraoperative conversion rate to the usual limbal approach over time, and performed a retrospective determination of date of surgery, age of patient, motility of the eye, primary or revision surgery, and the type and dose of surgery in 982 consecutive rectus muscle procedures.

RESULTS

In 3.6% (35/982) of MISS procedures, an intraoperative conversion to a large, limbal approach was necessary. The overall conversion rate decreased over time, from 8.4% in 2003 to 0.4% in 2007. The multivariate regression analysis showed a significant negative influence between the date of surgery and the conversion rate (p < 0.005). Muscle resections were associated with a higher conversion rate (p < 0.001). The other evaluated factors had no significant influence on an intraoperative enlargement of the conjunctival opening.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the reliability of the new MISS technique, and shows a low conversion rate to the usual limbal approach. The conversion rate decreased over time with increasing surgical experience. Muscle resections were associated with a higher conversion rate, while the age of the patient, the motility of the eye, revision surgery and the dose of surgery had no significant influence on an intraoperative conversion.