New materials for rectus muscle tendon extension in strabismus surgery.

Conventional strabismus surgery has both limitations and complications. Some of these have been overcome by the use of 'hang-back' sutures. Here we describe a new technique using Mersilene and Teflon as extraocular muscle implants for large muscle recessions. Results of initial studies in rabbits are presented and discussed. Mersilene implants evoked a marked fibroblastic reaction which limits their usefulness. Results with Teflon were more encouraging and suggest that it would be a useful spacer material in tendon extensions.