Objective: To investigate the new surgical method and effect of treatment of Duane's retraction syndrome by recession of medial and lateral rectus muscles combined with Y-splitting procedure.
Methods: Eight patients with Duane retraction syndrome underwent surgery. Among seven cases of normal direction Duane's retraction syndrome, Six patients were performed recession of medial and lateral rectus muscles with Y-splitting of lateral rectus muscle, one patient was performed recession and Y-splitting of lateral rectus muscle. One patient with inverse Duane's retraction syndrome was performed bilateral recession of medial and lateral rectus muscles combined with Y-splitting of both medial rectus muscles. All patients were followed up 1 to 12 months. Ocular alignment, ocular motility and change of compensatory head posture were evaluated.
Results: The compensatory head posture, upshoot or downshoot were eliminated. Globe retraction and narrowing of palpebral fissure got improved. Postoperative ocular alignment of 6 cases achieved orthophoria, with 2 cases of residual strabismus.
Conclusions: Recession of medial and lateral rectus muscles combined with Y-splitting procedure is an effective method for treatment of Duane's retraction syndrome, aiming at correction of ocular deviation and head posture and elimination of globe retraction.