Long-term outcome of full tendon vertical rectus transposition with Foster suture in unilateral complete sixth cranial nerve palsy

To evaluate the success rate and long-term motor and sensory outcomes of the full tendon vertical rectus transposition (VRT) with Foster suture for unilateral complete sixth cranial nerve palsy. We reviewed the medical records of patients with unilateral acquired sixth cranial nerve palsy who underwent unilateral full tendon VRT with Foster suture between 2005 and 2016 and had a follow-up of ≥2 years. Data on pre- and postoperative diplopia, face turn, ocular deviation, and limitation of abduction were collected. A successful outcome was defined as a horizontal deviation ≤10 prism diopter (PD) of ortho in a primary position at distance and absence of diplopia. A total of 20 patients were included in this study. Median (IQR) preoperative deviation was esotropia 65 (40–130) PD, which improved to 10 (−4 to 45) PD postoperatively. Median (IQR) improvement of esotropia was 54 (30–76) PD (P