In adjustable strabismus surgery, a satisfactory final result would be achieved with delayed adjustment. However, the postoperative adhesions following strabismus surgery make delayed adjustment impossible. We evaluated the efficacy of mitomycin C in reducing the severity of postoperative adhesions following strabismus surgery and in delaying the time adjustment after surgery. Experimental rabbits underwent a hang-back recession procedure in the superior rectus muscle. A topical application of mitomycin C was made between the conjunctiva and the sclera for 5 minutes during the operation. We then studied the possible time of delayed adjustment and estimated the minimal forces required for the adjustment. The topical application of 0.1 mg/ml mitomycin C between the conjunctiva and sclera allowed for a 2-week delayed adjustment after surgery, and 0.2 mg/ml mitomycin C prevented the adhesions between these tissues and the muscle 5 weeks after surgery. These results suggest that topical mitomycin C may enhance the success rate of strabismus surgery with delayed adjustment and reduce postoperative adhesions.
Administration, Topical ; Animals ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Conjunctiva/drug effects ; Mitomycin/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Oculomotor Muscles/drug effects/pathology/*surgery ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control ; Rabbits ; Sclera/drug effects ; Strabismus/drug therapy/pathology/*surgery ; Suture Techniques ; Tissue Adhesions/prevention & control