The Effect of Polytetrafluoroethylene on Delayed Adjustable Strabismus Surgery

ABSTRACT

Delayed reattachment of the muscle to the sclera may be desirable to correct the deviation of eye developed after the surgery. Polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE) was placed around the cut end of the muscle as a physical barrier between the free muscle end and the sclera in 16 rabbits in order to prevent the postoperative adhesions. PTFE was effective in delaying the adjustment for up to 4 weeks after surgery in 4 out of 10 eyes. After removal of PTFE, adjustment was possible up to 12 weeks in 24 out of 25 eyes because there was no adhesion between the muscle and PTFE. In conclusion, PTFE may be clinically helpful for delaying the timing of adjustment.