[Evaluation of the results of 12-mm recession of the inferior oblique muscle in superior oblique palsy: retrospective study in six patients].
BACKGROUND
Surgical possibilities in superior oblique palsy are numerous. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of a 12-mm inferior oblique recession in each cardinal position of gaze.


METHODS
Six patients suffering from superior oblique palsy were studied. All of them presented disabling symptoms such as right-left incomitance, and hypertropia in primary gaze equal to or lower than 25 diopters. They all underwent a pre- and postoperative deviometry. The surgical protocol was a 12-mm inferior oblique muscle recession, with reinsertion 4 mm behind the inferior rectus.


RESULTS
Functional results were positive. Mean hypertropia in primary gaze was 14.7 diopters for far and 12.7 diopters for near vision. The reduction of hypertropia in primary gaze was approximately 10 diopters, corresponding to 71.6% for far and 81.4% hypertropia for near vision. The mean postoperative vertical deviation was equal to 4.2 diopters for far and 2.3 diopters for near vision. Results in adduction were good even if there was a high level of hypertropia in this gaze position.


CONCLUSIONS
Many authors suggest considering anatomic abnormalities to improve surgical results such as traction testing on the oblique superior and superior rectus muscles. We can suggest a first-intention 12-mm recession of the inferior oblique muscle in cases of right-left incomitance with hypertropia in primary gaze lower than 25 diopters.
Dufay-Dupar
B
B
Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris. avicenne5@voila.fr
Espinasse-Berrod
M-A
MA
Dufier
J-L
JL
D006801:Humans; D015835:Ocular Motility Disorders / Q000601:surgery*; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D015840:Oculomotor Nerve Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D009886:Ophthalmoplegia / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015348:Vision, Binocular