Reoperation in esotropic Duane retraction syndrome: Long-term motor outcome of superior rectus transposition

Aim: The aim was to evaluate the long-term motor outcome of superior rectus transposition procedure in patients affected by unilateral esotropic Duane retraction syndrome with residual esotropia and anomalous head position. Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records of patients affected by esotropic Duane retraction syndrome who underwent superior rectus transposition procedure as reoperation for residual esotropia and/or residual anomalous head position. Amount of deviation, anomalous head position, duction limitation, globe retraction, presence of upshoot/downshoot, and vertical deviation were analyzed before and after superior rectus transposition procedure. Results: Twenty patients were selected. All patients underwent unilateral medial rectus recession or bilateral medial rectus recession, for unilateral esotropic Duane retraction syndrome at least 2 years before superior rectus transposition reoperation. Mean age at surgery (superior rectus transposition) was 12 ± 6.8 years, and the follow-up period was 2.7 ± 0.6. Mean deviations at distance and near before surgery were 19.5 ± 5.7 and 15.2 ± 6.8, respectively. Two patients showed upshoot. Head turn was 11.4 ± 5.1°; abduction limitation was −2.6 ± 0.9. After superior rectus transposition, all patients showed an improvement of esotropia at distance and near (8.1 ± 5.7 and 5.1 ± 5.6, respectively; p < 0.05), anomalous head position (5.6 ± 3.9°; p < 0.05), and abduction limitation (−2.3 ± 0.8; p < 0.05). No statistically significant changes occurred in globe retraction. No adduction limitation, vertical deviation, and upshoot/downshoot were present after superior rectus transposition procedure. Results were stable during follow-up. Conclusion: Superior rectus transposition procedure is an effective procedure in esotropic Duane retraction syndrome patients who previously undergone unilateral/bilateral medial rectus recession, with residual esotropia and anomalous head position. It allows improvement of esotropia, head turn, and partial recovery of abduction in a significant percentage of patients (30%) with no vertical complications.