Surgical Treatment of Paralysis of the Inferior Division of the Oculomotor Nerve

BACKGROUND: Paralysis of the inferior division of the oculomotor nerve is relatively rare. Little has been written about its surgical treatment. METHODS: Five patients with paralysis of the inferior division of the oculomotor nerve were treated with transposition of the superior rectus muscle toward the insertion of the medial rectus muscle, transposition of the lateral rectus muscle toward the insertion of the inferior rectus muscle, and tenotomy of the superior oblique tendon in the affected eye. RESULTS: All 5 patients had a satisfactory outcome. They were free of diplopia in the primary position as of their last examination. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 10 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: Paralysis of the inferior division of the oculomotor nerve can be adequately treated by simultaneous transposition of the superior rectus muscle toward the insertion of the medial rectus muscle, transposition of the lateral rectus muscle toward the insertion of the inferior rectus muscle, and tenotomy of the superior oblique tendon in the affected eye.