No-split, no-tenotomy transposition of only the superior rectus muscle combined with medial rectus recession in patients with complete abducens nerve palsy

Abstract

To evaluate the outcomes of no-split, no-tenotomy transposition of only the superior rectus muscle combined with medial rectus recession in patients with complete abducens nerve palsy. In this procedure, the temporal margin of the superior rectus muscle, 10 mm posterior to the insertion, was secured with a nonabsorbable suture and sutured to the sclera at a distance of 12 mm from the limbus in the superotemporal quadrant, halfway between the superior rectus and lateral rectus. Success was defined as distance and near alignment of ≤8Δ and no diplopia in primary position 6 months after surgery. A total of 8 patients with abducens nerve palsy underwent the procedure. At the last follow-up, the mean postoperative change in primary position deviation was 42.6Δ ± 8.1Δ (range,34Δ-57Δ) for distance and 42.1Δ ± 7.5Δ (35Δ -57Δ) for near, a significant reduction (P = 0.012). Abduction deficit also improved significantly (P = 0.010). Postoperatively, no vertical deviation or torsional diplopia was induced. At the 6 months' follow-up, compared with the first postoperative visit, an esodrift at near developed in 1 patient. Of the 8 cases, 6fulfilled the criteria for success. In our small study cohort, no-split, no-tenotomy superior rectus transposition and medial rectus recession improved esotropia and abduction limitation without inducing significant vertical deviations or torsional diplopia.