title: Anchored versus conventional hang-back bilateral lateral rectus muscle recession for exotropia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the results of conventional hang-back and anchored hang-back technique for bilateral lateral rectus muscle recessions in patients with exotropia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective, randomized clinical study, 60 patients underwent lateral rectus muscle recession by either conventional hang-back or anchored hang-back technique. Patients were then followed for 6 months; postoperative deviation and complications were compared. Surgery was considered successful if the postoperative deviation was within 10(Δ) of orthophoria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of patients was 14.2 ± 10.3 years (median, 12 years) in the conventional hang-back group and 11.5 ± 9.3 years (median, 8 years) in anchored group (P = 0.85). The mean preoperative deviation at distance and near between the 2 groups was not statistically significant. The mean postoperative deviation was 8(Δ) ± 9(Δ) at distance and 7(Δ) ± 9(Δ) at near in the conventional group and 9(Δ) ± 8(Δ) at distance and 8(Δ) ± 8(Δ) at near in the anchored group. (P = 0.48 for distance, P = 0.98 for near). After 6 months, 63% of the conventional group and 60% of the anchored group were within 10(Δ) of orthophoria. Complications such as globe perforation, A and V patterns, and vertical deviations did not occur in either group. There were no statistically significant differences in the success rates (P = 0.79) or complications between the 2 groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The placement of additional posterior scleral sutures to "anchor" the insertion did not improve outcomes in lateral rectus muscle recession surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Nikookari Eye Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nabie
authors.forename: Minoo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azadeh
authors.forename: Dima
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Andalib
authors.forename: Farzin Soltan
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Mohammadlou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005099:Exotropia / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012590:Sclera / Q000601:surgery; D013536:Suture Techniques; D055815:Young Adult