Modified Nishida Procedure Combined with Lateral Rectus Disabling for Duane Retraction Syndrome

Duane retraction syndrome (DRS) is a complex congenital cranial dysinnervation disorder. The choice of surgical procedure in esotropic-DRS depends upon several factors that include: the amount of esotropia in the primary position, the presence and severity of palpebral fissure narrowing, globe retraction, presence of medial rectus muscle (MR) contracture, the likelihood of improving abduction, age of the patient, and the presence of binocularity and stereopsis. In the presence of MR contracture, MR recession is performed either alone (unilaterally or bilaterally) or in conjunction with Y splitting plus recession of the lateral rectus muscle (LR) for reducing globe retraction. MR recession, with or without adjustable sutures, may be simultaneously combined with partial thickness vertical rectus muscle transposition (VRT) or with superior rectus muscle transposition (SRT). We describe a novel combination of surgical procedures in the management of esotropic-DRS in two patients. In our first patient, following an initial MR recession combined with LR disinsertion and periosteal fixation (LRDAPF), a modified Nishida procedure was performed. In our second patient following a prior simultaneous MR recession and LR Y splitting with recession, we combined periosteal fixation of the LR with a modified Nishida procedure of the vertical rectus muscles.