Features of surgical treatment of Brown's syndrome in children

Purpose. To study the features of surgical treatment of Brown's syndrome in children. Material and methods. 47 children with Brown's syndrome aged from one to 10 years were treated: 4 children had bilateral form, 43 had congenital form and 4 had acquired form. The operation was performed for 44 children. The indications for surgical treatment were double vision in a straight position, forced position of the head, impaired binocular vision. Results. Three children with acquired Brown's syndrome had a positive effect on the background of conservative treatment. Surgical treatment of Brown's syndrome was effective, but often required repeated interventions (31 patients, 70%): the first stage was weakening of the superior oblique muscle (tenotomy, recession, prolongation), the second stage was recession of the inferior oblique muscle, the third stage was recession of the contralateral inferior rectus muscles (4 patients, 9%). In a number of cases (5 children, 11%), at the outcome of surgical treatment, asymmetry of the palpebral fissures was noted due to mild enophthalmos in the operated eye (the result of weakening of the oblique muscles that «pull» the eyes out of the orbit and weakening of the contralateral inferior rectus muscle that «tightens» the eyeball). Conclusion. Surgery for Brown's syndrome is effective, but often requires reoperation. With acquired forms of Brown's syndrome, examination and the first stage of conservative treatment are required. The absolute indications for surgical treatment of Brown's syndrome are forced head position, double vision in a straight position and impaired binocular vision. Keywords: Brown's syndrome, double vision in a straight position, forced position of the head, impaired binocular vision, surgical treatment.