[Surgical correction of subjective excyclotorsion by tucking the anterior part of the superior oblique muscle tendon]. / Effet sur l'excyclotorsion subjective du plissement de la partie antérieure du tendon du muscle oblique supérieur.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Asymmetrical folding of the anterior portion of the superior oblique muscle is a simplified variant of the Harada-Ito procedure that is supposed to selectively correct ocular torsion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This surgical technique was applied to 22 patients suffering from bilateral acquired IV nerve palsy. Ocular torsion was evaluated with the Harms tangent screen. Pre- and post-operative torsional values were compared. Post-operative follow-up was 12 months. RESULTS: Pre-operatively, mean excyclotropia was 8.8 degrees in primary position and 15.9 degrees in downgaze. Post-operatively, these values decreased to 1.5 degrees and 4.1 degrees, respectively. An enlarged field of binocular single vision, extending beyond 10 degrees inferiorly, was obtained in 17/22 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The selective technique of superior oblique muscle anterior tendon tucking allows one to efficiently correct the ocular torsion induced by acquired bilateral IV nerve palsy.