Adjustable vertical rectus muscle transposition surgery

Abstract

Transposition of the vertical rectus muscle to the insertion of a paralytic or aberrantly innervated lateral rectus muscle is useful in treating esotropia associated with abducens palsy and Duane syndrome. However, this procedure may cause a manifest vertical deviation, requiring either prismatic or additional surgical correction. In an attempt to reduce the incidence of this surgical complication, we performed vertical rectus muscle transposition surgery, using an adjustable suture technique on each muscle, in 10 consecutive patients with abnormal lateral rectus function. Preoperative diagnoses included abducens palsy (70%) and Duane syndrome (30%). Preoperative deviations ranged from 14 to 85 prism diopters esotropia (mean, 39 delta) in the primary position. No vertical deviation was present preoperatively. Following transposition surgery, 8 of 10 patients were esotropic, 1 of 10 patients was exotropic, and 4 of 10 patients had a manifest vertical deviation. At the time of adjustment, all vertical deviations were corrected by "recessing" the appropriate vertical rectus muscle. Additionally, exotropia was lessened by "recessing" both vertical muscles in one patient.