[Surgery of 6th nerve paralysis. 74 cases].

85% of abducens palsies recover spontaneously; then their surgical treatment has not to be hastened. However many non regressive cases are frequently observed. Whatever they may be, partial or complete, uni or bilateral, always they give a great functional handicap which warrants a surgical care. The analysis of 74 successive cases allows to reveal some rules concerning the operative plan. In that respect the electro-oculographic recording often provides many essential informations. The recovery of a normal oculo-motor balance is usual in monolateral paresis. In bilateral complete palsies, in spite of muscle transposition procedures, we can only expect to reduce torticollis and to restore the ocular alignment in primary position, but abduction remains always impaired or fully impeded.