Single Minimal Conjunctival Incision for Rectus Muscles

Purpose/Background: To study the feasibility and inflammatory response of surgery for rectus muscles using a small single bulbar conjunctival incision posterior and parallel to the muscle insertion.

Methods: Patients requiring surgery of at least one rectus muscle with several diagnoses, operated under general or topical / sub-Tenon's anesthesia, who had no previous eye muscle surgery, are included. Routinary clinical ophthalmological examination is carried out. After applying a 5-0 PGA traction suture, a 3-4 mm single conjunctival incision posterior and parallel to the rectus muscle insertion will be done. A hang-back recession with 6-0 PGA suture will be carried out, and the conjunctiva closed by an 8-0 PGA single stitch. The main outcome measure is duration of swelling and hemorrhage, and secondary outcome measure is motor outcome at 2 months after surgery. Results are compared with retrospectively collected data of patients operated using limbal (n= 20) and fornix incision (n= 21) as a point of reference.