Horizontal rectus surgery is successful for Duane syndrome

Performing moderate horizontal rectus surgery in Duane syndrome patients is a simple and effective procedure, according to a study in the European Journal of Ophthalmology.

A team headed by Dr Pilar Merino, Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain, included 17 Duane syndrome patients who experienced strabismus surgery between 2000 and 2008.

All patients either had medial rectus recession for esotropic deviation or lateral rectus recession for exotropic deviation. The amount of surgery depended on the angle of deviation and abnormal head posture. A good angle of deviation was defined as less than 10 PD and 5º after surgery was considered a good head turn. Head turn was determined as mild, moderate or severe.

In 12 patients the treatment was successful and in the remaining five cases treatment was unsuccessful. Three patients experienced an under corrected deviation and two patients experienced an overcorrected deviation.

The surgery was considered an overall success and there were no secondary duction limitations. In 33% of the patients the surgery only slightly improved abduction.