Surgical outcomes of plication versus resection in basic type of intermittent exotropia

Objectives: To compare the surgical outcomes of plication versus resection in basic type of intermittent exotropia.

Design: Prospective interventional study.

Participants: 60 patients above 6 years of age with diagnosis of basic type of intermittent exotropia.

Methods: A randomized study was conducted in 60 patients above 6 years of age with diagnosis of basic type of intermittent exotropia. They were equally divided in two groups by computer generated random number table. Group A underwent recession and plication (RP) and group B underwent recession and resection (RR) based on post patch deviation with constant 8 mm lateral rectus recession in both groups. Parameters assessed were postoperative alignment, cosmetic outcome, improvement in binocularity & stereoacuity and dose effect. Successful outcome was defined as post patch deviation ≤ 10 Prism diopters (PD) of exophoria/exotropia to < 5 PD of esophoria/esotropia at 12 months follow up.

Results: The mean preoperative and postoperative deviation was 44.67 ± 4.5 PD and 10.13 ± 3.6 PD respectively in group A and 43.17 ± 4.8 PD and 9.40 ± 3.3 PD respectively in group B (p = 0.423). The exodrift at 12 months follow up was 4.4 ± 2.8 PD in group A and 4.67 ± 3.29 PD in group B. There was statistically no significant difference in outcomes between the two groups. Mean effect of MR plication at last follow up was 5.91 PD/mm and MR resection was 5.5 PD/mm (p = 0.877).

Conclusion: Both procedures achieved acceptable ocular alignment and had a comparable dose effect. Plication has certain added advantages over resection hence may be preferred as an alternate tightening procedure.