Super oblique tendon elongation with fascia lata

Superior oblique lengthening with a silicone retinal band is used to treat superior oblique overaction (SOOA); however, secondary infection, implant extrusion, orbital cellulitis, and adhesion may occur. We present a method of superior oblique tendon elongation in which autogenous fascia lata is used to decrease the likelihood of these complications.

Six patients (5 female, 1 male) aged 7-22 years (mean, 17 years) with 40-85(Delta) exotropia and SOOA (range, +2 to +4; mean, +3.5) underwent bilateral superior oblique lengthening with insertion of fascia lata. In the last 2 cases, the values of elongation were augmented by 2 mm. Fascia lata was harvested through a linear incision on the lateral aspect of the patient's thigh.

Postoperatively, correction of A-pattern exotropia to within 10(Delta) was achieved in 66% of the cases as well as correction of SOOA to within +1 in 58% of the cases, with a follow-up of 9 months. All patients with +2 to +3 SOOA (3 cases) were fully corrected, whereas those with +4 SOOA (9 eyes) had residual overaction of +1 to +3. In the 4 eyes with augmented elongation, residual SOOA was between 0 and +2. No patient developed superior oblique palsy.

Autogenous fascia lata may be used as an alternative to a silicone band for superior oblique lengthening. Our results were comparable with published results for the silicone band, with a lower rate of overcorrection. The improved biocompatibility makes it likely that autogenous fascia lata will have a lower complication rate than with a silicone band.