Inferior oblique myectomy, disinsertion, and recession in rhesus monkeys.

Twenty-one myectomies near the insertion, 22 disinsertions, and two recessions were performed. After healing was complete, each animal was sacrificed. Anatomical dissection showed the following:(1) in every disinsertion and myectomy case, the inferior oblique muscle spontaneously reattached itself to the sclera;(2) the site of reattachment following these two procedures varied widely, ranging from the original insertion site to other areas adjacent to the lateral rectus or inferior rectus insertions; (3) disinsertion and myectomy shortened the inferior oblique muscle to two thirds its normal length, while recession shortened the muscle to one third its normal length.