Lateral rectus resection versus lateral rectus plication in patients with residual Esotropia

This study was aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of lateral rectus plication and resection techniques on patients with residual esotropia. In this randomized clinical trial, a total of 57 patients with residual esotropia (31 females) who were candidates for lateral rectus resection were randomized into plication (n = 27) and resection (n = 30) groups. The inclusion criteria were residual Esotropia after uni- or bilateral medial rectus recession. Subjects with a history of prematurity, lack of central fixation, extraocular muscle palsy, systemic, ocular disorders, history of lateral rectus operation, or follow up less than 3 months were excluded. Ophthalmic examinations were conducted preoperatively and at 1, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. Surgical success rate was considered postoperative eso- or exotropia <= 10 pd. Based on the study results, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the pre- (plication: 27.9 +/- 9.8 pd and resection: 26.4 +/- 7.6 pd; P = .52) and postoperative mean angle of deviation at far distance in month 3 (plication: 5.1 +/- 7.1 pd and resection: 5.4 +/- 3.2 pd; P = .82). Postoperative success rate also showed similarity between these two groups at all postoperative follow-ups of months 1, 3, and 6.There was no statistically significant difference between dose responses of these groups in uni- or bilateral operations. In conclusion, lateral rectus plication and resection showed statistically similar results. Each surgical method could be selected according to surgeon's skill and comfort. We recommend plication method for patients with postoperative probability of anterior segment ischemia.