Surgical correction of initial CHP is successful

Compensatory head posture is reversed after Anderson-Kestenbaum surgery, according to a paper in the European Journal of Ophthalmology.

Dr Silay Canturk Ugurbas et al., Department of Ophthalmology, Zonguldak Karaelmas, University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey, conducted a retrospective chart review on four patients with cogenital nystagmus. The participants presented with a new version of their original horizontal compensatory head posture (CHP) or a reversal of CHP after Anderson-Kestenbaum surgery.

At the time of initial surgery, all patients had a 40–45° horizontal face turn and to correct the CHP three patients underwent 20% and one experienced 30% augmented A-K surgery. Reversal of the original CHP was recorded for an average of four years postoperatively.

The results showed that the reversed CHPs measured 20°, 40°, 20° and 20°, respectively. In all patients an acceptable head position was achieved and in three patients.