Session: Poster session B

New modification of vertical muscle transposition to enhance abducting force in sixth nerve palsy

Background:

The purpose of the study is to determine where the transposed muscle should be reattached in order to increase the tangential force necessary to improve abduction.

Methods:

Retrospective case review of 12 consecutive patients with abducens paralysis who underwent transposition procedures between 2016 and 2019 was conducted.

Vertical rectus muscles are transposed to the insertion of lateral rectus muscle, the temporal parts are joined and sutured to the sclera on top of the lateral rectus muscle in the middle of the insertion. The nasal parts are sutured to the sclera following the spiral of Tillaux. The muscle junction suture is placed 8 mm from the insertion, with the temporal parts of the vertical muscles bellies joined and sutured to the lateral rectus muscle.

The minimum follow-up was 3 months.

Results:

The mean preoperative deviation was ET of 37° (range: ET 24° to ET 51°). The mean preoperative abduction limitation was 5 mm from midline (range: 7 to 1mm). The postoperative mean deviation was ET of 2°  (range:  0° to ET 5°). The postoperative mean abduction improvement was 5mm past midline (range: 2 to 6mm). There were no complications, or signs of anterior segment ischemia. 

Conclusions:

To achieve the maximal abductive force from the transposed muscles, we suggest that the vertical muscles be reattached as close as possible to the middle of the lateral rectus insertion.