Adjustable Suture Surgical Innovation
Surgeons at University Children’s Eye Center have pioneered a surgical technique, leading to improved outcomes in pediatric strabismus surgery (muscle surgery for crossing and wandering of the eyes). This new technique is being taught to pediatric ophthalmologists internationally.
Dr. Engel and Dr. Rousta have developed a technique that allows children with strabismus to obtain the benefits of using adjustable sutures, previously used mainly for adult cases. See before and after photos from patients treated by University Children's Eye Center using adjustable sutures. Background A surgeon corrects a patient with strabismus by strengthening or weakening the actions of the muscles of the eyes. This can often entail multiple surgical corrections, as there is a significant variability in a patient's response to strabismus surgery. Adjustable sutures are used to help reduce the variability of strabismus surgery, allowing for adjustments to be made within hours of knowing the initial outcome of a procedure, without needing to perform another operation. Traditional adjustable sutures require an additional manipulation of the suture even if the outcome requires no adjustment. This has made them unsuitable for children, as the child would have to undergo general anesthesia again, even with a successful outcome. New Surgical Technique Dr. Engel and Dr. Rousta have developed an adjustable suture technique where, if the child's eyes are fully corrected after surgery, no further manipulation of the suture is needed, and the child can go home with no further intervention. Children who need further adjustment, typically children with complex strabismus or those who have had previous surgery, can undergo an adjustment within hours instead of needing a new surgery. This innovative surgical technique has improved the outcomes of pediatric strabmismus surgery for many types of patients, and is part of a larger set of techniques used by University Children's Eye Center's surgeons to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients. See before and after photos from patients treated by University Children's Eye Center using adjustable sutures. |