Vertical rectus muscle transposition surgery for Duane's syndrome.

Thirteen patients with Duane's syndrome, Type I, underwent full vertical rectus muscle transposition. Prior to surgery, all patients had esotropia in the primary position and 11 patients had a face turn. Postoperatively, esotropia was improved in 77%. The face turn was improved in 100% and eliminated in 69%. Abduction ability was increased and binocular diplopia-free field size enlarged to a mean of 60 degrees. Seven patients (54%) with a mean preoperative deviation of 17 prism diopters required only vertical rectus muscle transposition to improve their face turn and strabismus. Six patients (46%) with a mean preoperative deviation of 30 delta required an additional medial rectus recession several months later. Two patients (15%) developed a vertical deviation following vertical rectus muscle transposition.