Torsional Changes After Vertical Transposition of Horizontal Recti in V-pattern Exotropia Without Oblique Dysfunction.

PURPOSE

To evaluate pattern collapse and torsional changes following vertical transposition of horizontal recti in patients with V-pattern exotropia and no oblique dysfunction.

METHODS

A prospective study was performed on patients who had V-pattern exotropia and no oblique dysfunction. Lateral recti were transposed upward half-tendon width in V-pattern of 25 prism diopters (PD) or less (n = 14) and full-tendon width in V-pattern of greater than 25 PD (n = 10). Amblyopic patients had unilateral lateral rectus recession with upward transposition and medial rectus resection with downward transposition (n = 8). Ductions, versions, pattern strabismus, disc foveal angle, and astigmatic axis were analyzed before and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

In the 32 patients (21 females), the mean age was 8.25 ± 1.23 years. Only amblyopic patients showed preoperative fundus extorsion (mean disc foveal angle = 16.9°, P < .01). Mean pattern collapse was 13.1 ± 3.8 PD with half-tendon transposition, 35.6 ± 13.7 PD with full-tendon transposition, and 13.8 ± 7.9 PD in the unilateral group. Pattern collapse increased gradually so that pattern normalization occurred after 6 months in most patients. There was a statistically significant correlation between the preoperative V-pattern and the magnitude of pattern collapse after surgery (r = 0.80, P < .01). There were no significant changes in the mean disc foveal angle (< 0.5°) or axis of astigmatism (< 0.5°) in all three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Vertical transposition of horizontal muscles can correct V-pattern exotropia, although the effect might not be immediate. Torsional changes are minimal. Amblyopic patients with V-pattern exotropia showed a preoperative extorsion that did not change after surgery. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2019;56(2):107-115.].