A simplified approach to the treatment of Duane's syndrome.
BACKGROUND
To report the results of a large series of patients undergoing treatment for Duane's syndrome.


METHODS
Patients with Duane's syndrome undergoing strabismus surgery of a horizontal muscle recession procedure, medial rectus recession for an esodeviation or lateral rectus recession for an exodeviation, in order to correct an abnormal head position (AHP) and a significant tropia in primary position were identified. Amount of recession varied with the angle of deviation in forced primary position, versions and ductions, and intraoperative forced ductions. Elimination of AHP was used as a criterion for success.


RESULTS
Fifty nine patients were treated with either unilateral or bilateral medial or lateral rectus recession. Mean follow up was 3.1 years. Ninety three percent achieved a postoperative alignment of < or =15 degrees AHP, 66% achieved < or =5 degrees AHP. Only three patients, two from the unilateral Type II group and one from the bilateral combined Types I and II group, went on to have a second procedure for a noticeable residual AHP.


CONCLUSIONS
Success (good to excellent results) of horizontal muscle recession was achieved in 93% of patients. Unilateral or bilateral horizontal rectus muscle recession offers a simple and effective surgical option for eliminating AHP and is our treatment of choice in patients with Duane's syndrome.
Barbe
M E
ME
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA. mbarbe@comcast.net
Scott
W E
WE
Kutschke
P J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004370:Duane Retraction Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019416:Head Movements; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013285:Strabismus / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015348:Vision, Binocular; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields