Adjustable Posterior Fixation Suture Technique in Adjustable Superior Rectus Transposition

Background: Recently, the superior rectus transposition has been widely adopted for the treatment of complete abducens palsy and Duane syndrome. This procedure is useful in that there is a decreased risk of anterior segment ischemia compared to complete vertical rectus transposition, possibly decreased incidence of postoperative-induced vertical deviations than complete vertical rectus transposition, and improvement in abduction compared to simple medial rectus recession. One difficulty with this procedure is the lack of adjustability in most patients. Our group has adopted a new technique for an adjustable posterior fixation myopexy suture for use with patients under topical anesthesia. Methods: The superior rectus muscle is temporally transposed to the insertion of the lateral rectus muscle. The corner of the superior rectus muscle that is placed adjacent to the lateral rectus muscle is placed on an adjustable suture. Then, a posterior fixation myopexy suture consisting of a single-armed 6-0 vicryl suture is secured between the superior and lateral rectus muscles, approximately 10 mm from the lateral rectus insertion to drag the superior rectus muscle temporally. This suture is also placed on an adjustable suture. The patient is then positioned sitting up, fixing at a target at approximately 10 feet away from the patient’s head. Cover testing is utilized to determine whether any vertical deviation has been induced. If there is a vertical deviation, the posterior fixation suture may be loosened. Results: We find that this technique to be useful if an induced vertical deviation or an overcorrection occur, and is thought to be due to the reported possible complication of restriction induced by the posterior fixation suture and the transposed rectus muscle. Conclusion: Our technique for performing superior rectus transposition with an adjustable posterior fixation myopexy suture may be useful to surgeons who wish to have an adjustable option as a way to decrease the risk of postoperative complications such as induced vertical deviations and overcorrections.