Ocular complications of seventh nerve paralysis and management with the palpebral spring

Application of Palpebral Spring in Asian Patients With Paralytic Lagophthalmos

PURPOSE

Literature on palpebral springs is scarce, and even more so for the Asian population. In this study, the authors evaluated their experience with palpebral spring placement for paralytic lagophthalmos in an Asian population. The authors report the unique challenges encountered due to the distinctive features in Asian eyelids and how they overcome them. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the application of palpebral springs in Asians.

METHODS

All patients treated for paralytic lagophthalmos in the Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, from November 2013 to December 2015, were included in this study. The authors retrieved and analyzed the demographic data, preoperative assessment details, and treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 17 patients were recruited. The median interval between facial palsy occurrence and surgery was 66 months. Preoperatively, vertical palpebral fissure was 12.3 ± 1.7 mm with margin reflex distance 1 of 3.7 ± 0.3 mm and margin reflex distance 2 of 8.6 ± 1.6 mm. Lagophthalmos before surgery was 9.6 ± 2.3 mm. After the palpebral spring surgeries, vertical palpebral fissure was reduced to 9.1 ± 1.4 mm. margin reflex distance 1 is slightly reduced (3.3 ± 0.8 mm) and margin reflex distance 2 improved to 5.8 ± 1.0 mm. Lagophthalmos reduced significantly to 0.8 ± 1.3 mm. Seven patients required revision procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Palpebral spring is a safe and effective treatment for Asian patients with paralytic lagophthalmos. However, surgeons should be aware of the unique challenges associated with the anatomy of Asian eyelids. Special adaptation of the procedure is required to optimize the outcome.

A modified levine palpebral spring for the treatment of myogenic ptosis

PURPOSE

Surgical treatment of myogenic ptosis usually requires a form of frontalis suspension. Complications can include entropion, headache, contour abnormalities, and poor eyelid excursion. The Levine palpebral spring has been used successfully to augment eyelid closure in more than 2,000 patients. The authors present a modified Levine spring to correct ptosis in a patient with poor levator function.

METHODS

Interventional case report. A 55-year-old man with profound myogenic ptosis was treated with bilateral modified Levine palpebral springs. Eyelid position, contour and excursion, blink reflex, lagophthalmos, and ocular surface were evaluated.

RESULTS

The Levine palpebral spring functioned well to open both eyelids. Margin reflex distance improved from -3 mm to 3 m postoperatively. Excellent contour and excursion were observed. Orbicularis action, including blink reflex, was preserved, and ocular surface was not compromised.

CONCLUSION

The modified Levine palpebral spring is an alternative to frontalis suspension in treating select patients with eyelid ptosis with poor levator function.

[Surgical treatment of paralytic lagophthalmos]

Impairment of the peripheral or central part of the facial nerve causes an ipsilateral peripheral facial nerve paresis. It is quite a common syndrome and affects 20-35 persons per 100,000 per year in Western Europe and the United States. A possible complication of facial palsy is paralytic lagophthalmos with aesthetic and functional impairment for the patient. Beside primary nerve reconstructive procedures plastic-reconstructive procedures play a major role in correcting paralytic lagophthalmos. The eyebrow, upper and lower lids, medial and lateral lid angle as well as the lacrimal system need to be seen as functional units and can be corrected with local surgical procedures. Restoration of eye closure is the most important goal in treating the affected eye. Due to the significant aesthetic limitations and resultant psychological stress for the patient cosmetic aspects must be included in the surgical concept.

Palpebral spring in the management of lagophthalmos and exposure keratopathy secondary to facial nerve palsy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the use of a palpebral spring, a dynamic facial reanimation technique, in the management of lagophthalmos and exposure keratopathy secondary to facial nerve palsy.

METHODS

A palpebral spring was placed in 29 eyelids of 28 patients with symptomatic facial nerve palsy. Preoperative and postoperative symptoms, upper eyelid margin to midpupil distance, lagophthalmos, and exposure keratopathy were evaluated.

RESULTS

At an average of 83 months follow-up, preoperative symptoms improved or resolved in 26 (90%) eyes. The upper eyelid margin to midpupil distance decreased and lagophthalmos and exposure keratopathy significantly improved after palpebral spring placement (p < 0.001). After modification of the technique by suturing the spring to the anterior tarsal surface, rather than encasing the tip in a silicone tube and letting it ride freely, tension of the spring required adjustment in 4 eyes (27%). Dislocation of the spring from the tarsus without exposure through the skin was observed in 1 eyelid (7%). The spring was replaced because of loss of function secondary to metal fatigue in 5 eyelids (33%) after an average of 43 months. Exposure of the spring through the skin was observed in 2 eyelids (14%) and required spring removal from 1 eyelid and replacement of the spring in the other.

CONCLUSION

A palpebral spring is an effective treatment for lagophthalmos and exposure keratopathy in patients with facial nerve palsy who do not receive adequate relief from the static procedures of lower eyelid tightening and upper eyelid lowering. This technique significantly improved symptoms and signs in these patients while allowing some of the blink reflex.

Gold weight implants in the management of lagophthalmos in facial palsy

The otolaryngologist plays an essential role in the diagnosis and management of a facial palsy. We present one of the largest cohort prospective studies in the UK of 22 patients with gold weight implants, including ancillary oculoplastic techniques, and their outcomes. Facial paralysis places the eye at risk and protection and lubrication of the eye is paramount in the management of these patients. If recovery of facial function is likely to be delayed or negligible, gold weight loading of the upper lid has been shown to be effective in providing a dynamic solution to lagophthalmos. Following surgery, complete eye closure was possible in the upright position in 18 patients (82%). Two patients had their weights removed secondary to infection (9%). At long-term follow up, four patients judged their vision to have deteriorated (29%). Two of these, after investigation by the ophthalmologists, were found to have pressure astigmatism and removal corrected the visual problems. Overall patient satisfaction with the procedure is high and all reported improvement in eye closure following the operation. An algorithm for the management of the eye in patients with facial palsy is outlined.

Multi-channel orbicularis oculi stimulation to restore eye-blink function in facial paralysis

Facial paralysis due to facial nerve injury results in the loss of function of the muscles of the hemiface. The most serious complication in extreme cases is the loss of vision. In this study, we compared the effectiveness of single- and multiple-channel electrical stimulation to restore a complete and cosmetically acceptable eye blink. We established bilateral orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM) paralysis in eight dogs; the OOM of one side was directly stimulated using single-channel electrical stimulation and the opposite side was stimulated using multi-channel electrical stimulation. The changes in the palpebral fissure and complete palpebral closure were measured. The difference in current intensities between the multi-channel and single-channel simulation groups was significant, while only multi-channel stimulation produced complete eyelid closure. The latest electronic stimulation circuitry with high-quality implantable electrodes will make it possible to regulate precisely OOM contractions and thus generate complete and cosmetically acceptable eye-blink motion in patients with facial paralysis.

An improved palpebral spring for the management of paralytic lagophthalmos

Facial nerve paralysis with orbicularis muscle palsy can result in serious corneal complications, such as exposure, ulceration, and perforation. Eyelid springs have been used for patients with orbicularis muscle palsy to provide corneal protection while maintaining vision by restoring some kinetic eyelid function. The authors report on 24 patients with facial nerve paralysis who underwent implantation of an eyelid spring over a period of 8 years. The most common cause of orbicularis muscle paralysis was acoustic neuroma, followed by squamous cell carcinoma. Eighty-three percent of the cases successfully regained and maintained their eyelid function during the follow-up period, averaging 3.0 years. We have modified the spring to allow permanent attachment to the orbital rim by wiring. This modification of the surgical technique has minimized the most common postoperative complication: loosening of the spring from its periosteal attachment with subsequent loss of function and extrusion. In addition, transcutaneous adjustments of the spring now can be made without an incision using clasp-adjusting dental pliers. In selected patients, the placement of an eyelid spring prevents the corneal complications associated with paralytic lagophthalmos while maintaining visual function.

Efficacy of surgical treatment for paralytic ectropion

Paralytic ectropion can be corrected with numerous procedures. Advocates of particular procedures have previously been unable to quote statistical rates of success for each procedure over significant lengths of time. This study reviews over 200 cases of paralytic ectropion, representing the spectrum of seventh nerve disease seen at an eye and ear specialty hospital and a general medical facility. Of all eyelid implantation devices 93 to 95% failed to work or needed reoperation by 3 years postoperatively. Soft tissue surgery without prosthetic implants or exoplants provided 60% success after a 3-year follow-up. Eyelid elevation or tightening coupled with surgery for facial reanimation produced a higher rate of success at 3 years (83%). An overwhelming number of patients (62%) complained of some degree of epiphora after any or all procedures. Based on these findings, soft tissue surgery without prosthetic implants or exoplants has a higher rate of success.