Surgical treatment of severe congenital ptosis in patients younger than two years of age using preserved fascia lata

The Recurrence of Ptosis after Correction Surgery Is Associated with Refractive Error

Background and objectives: Previous studies on ptosis recurrence after correction surgery have tended to focus on postoperative complications, surgical methods and suspension materials, few have mentioned refractive error. This research is to investigate the potential relation between refractive error and recurrence after correction surgery in pediatric patients with simple congenital ptosis. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from patients with simple congenital ptosis who were treated at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC) between 2017 and 2020. In total, 111 eyelids of 85 patients without surgery-related complications who underwent frontalis muscle flap suspension (FMFS) for simple congenital ptosis were included. Postoperative changes in eyelid height were assessed. Cycloplegic refraction was assessed before surgery and during the follow-up period (every 3 months after surgery). Recurrence in the postoperative period was defined as a marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1) of <1 mm. Results: There were 16 recurrence and 69 non-recurrence cases, with no statistically significant differences, in terms of patient age at the time of surgery, patient sex, or preoperative MRD1, between the recurrence and non-recurrence groups. The postoperative cylindrical diopter (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.432, p = 0.005), laterality (adjusted OR = 0.202, p = 0.006), and preoperative MRD1 (adjusted OR = 0.617, p = 0.019) were associated with ptosis recurrence after surgery. Differences between the recurrence and non-recurrence groups in spherical diopter and spherical equivalent (SE) before and after surgery were not statistically significant. In addition, preoperative refractive error and postoperative spherical diopter were not significantly associated with ptosis recurrence after correction surgery. Conclusions: Ptosis recurrence after FMFS in pediatric cases of congenital ptosis is associated with refractive error. Timely refractive correction and amblyopia treatment may help to reduce ptosis recurrence.

Improved Eyelid Muscle Tension Balance With Refined Frontalis Muscle Flap Suspension in the Treatment of Severe Ptosis

BACKGROUND

The tension balance of the upper eyelid following ptosis repair is crucial to a successful postoperative outcome. To improve on existing surgical techniques, the authors developed a new refined frontalis muscle flap suspension (FMFS) for severe ptosis repair and explored the balancing effect between the orbicularis muscle and frontalis muscle following surgery.

METHODS

Forty-three patients (47 eyes) with a mean age of 6.07 ± 2.55 years old were diagnosed with severe congenital ptosis and underwent refined FMFS with complete orbicularis preservation between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2017 in the Wenzhou Eye Hospital, Wenzhou, China. The outcomes measured include upper eyelid margin reflex distance (MRD1), degree of lagophthalmos, and cosmetic outcome (lash angle, eyelid contour, and crease). Surgical complications were also recorded.

RESULTS

The preoperative mean MRD1 was -1.29 ± 0.88 mm and preoperative levator function was 1.87 ± 0.82 mm (ranged from 0 to 3.0 mm). Following surgery, lagophthalmos was observed in all cases in the first week with a mean palpebral fissure height of 1.68 ± 0.40 mm and diminished over 3 months. The MRD1 improved to +3.04 ± 0.68 mm at 6 months following surgery. All cases showed excellent cosmetic outcomes. There were no significant complications.

CONCLUSION

The refined FMFS is a safe and reliable surgery in treating severe ptosis. The eye-closing power of the intact orbicularis muscle is sufficient at countering the lifting power of the frontalis muscle suspension, achieving a balanced blink mechanism and eyelid closure.

Lagophthalmos after congenital ptosis surgery: comparison between maximal levator resection and frontalis sling operation

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To compare postoperative lagophthalmos after maximal levator resection (MLR) and frontalis suspension (FS) in congenital ptosis patients with poor levator function (LF).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed to compare postoperative outcomes in patients with preoperative LF ≤ 4 mm who had undergone MLR or FS at a single tertiary institution, and who had visited the outpatient clinic between February 2017 and August 2018. Main outcome measures were as follows: (1) Preoperative LF and margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1), (2) Postoperative MRD1, lagophthalmos and grade of superficial punctate keratopathy (SPK).

RESULTS

Our study comprised 152 eyelids of 122 patients. There were 71 eyelids in the MLR group and 81 eyelids in the FS group. The MLR group had comparable mean postoperative MRD1 (2.8 ± 0.8 mm) to the FS with autogenous fascia lata (AFL) group (3.0 ± 0.7 mm), while the FS with preserved fascia lata (PFL) group had the lowest mean postoperative MRD1 (2.2 ± 1.0 mm). The PFL group had significantly less lagophthalmos (0.6 ± 1.0 mm) than the AFL (1.9 ± 1.4 mm) and maximal levator resection (1.9 ± 1.7 mm) groups. In the MLR group, there was no significant difference in postoperative surgical measurements between the LF 0-2 mm group and LF 2.5-4 mm group in terms of exposure keratopathy, degree of lagophthalmos and MRD1.

CONCLUSION

MLR is an effective alternative to FS in congenital ptosis patients with poor levator function, with the risk of postoperative lagophthalmos related to postoperative MRD1 rather than preoperative LF.

Prevalence of amblyopia in congenital blepharoptosis: a systematic review and Meta-analysis

AIM

To conduct a systematic review and Meta-analysis of the published literature to evaluate the pooled prevalence rate of amblyopia in patients with congenital ptosis.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and Chongqing VIP databases for studies reporting the prevalence of amblyopia in patients with congenital ptosis. The reference lists of relevant studies were scanned. Heterogeneity of effect sizes across studies was tested. We calculated prevalence ratios to compare prevalence estimates for different causes of amblyopia in patients with congenital ptosis, as well as for different geographical regions, year of publication and sample size in subgroup analyses. A systematic review and Meta-analysis were performed.

RESULTS

We identified 29 eligible surveys with a total population of 2436. Prevalence rates of amblyopia ranged from 13.8% to 69%. We noted substantial heterogeneity in prevalence estimates for amblyopia in congenital ptosis (Cochran's χ ² significant at P<0.0001; I ²=90%). The pooled prevalence using random-effects models of 29 studies was 32.8% (95%CI: 27.3%-38.4%) in the overall population. Compared to the overall pooled prevalence, amblyopia prevalence was higher in studies in which only subjects with blepharophimosis syndrome were included.

CONCLUSION

We confirm that nearly one-third of congenital ptosis patients are suffering from or at risk for amblyopia. Patients with blepharophimosis syndrome are more likely to develop amblyopia. The identification and management of amblyopia should be integral to the treatment of congenital ptosis.

Types of materials for frontalis sling surgery for congenital ptosis

BACKGROUND

Congenital ptosis is a drooping of one or both eyelids at birth, often due to poor development of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle. This can result in amblyopia, astigmatism, and ocular torticollis and therefore may necessitate surgical intervention in early childhood if visual development is compromised. Patients may have varied levels of levator function. Those with moderate to good function may elect to first attempt ptosis repair with external levator advancement or mullerectomy/Fasanella-Servat procedures. For those with poor function, those procedures are less likely to be effective, so they may undergo frontalis sling surgery, in which the tarsal plate is coupled to the frontalis muscle, so that movement of the brow and forehead result in movement of the eyelid. The optimal material to use in this surgery is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the comparative effectiveness and safety of various materials used in frontalis sling surgery for congenital ptosis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register) (June 2018), Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE E-pub Ahead of Print, Ovid Medline In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE Daily (January 1946 to 20 June 2018), Embase (January 1947 to 20 June 2018), PubMed (1948 to 20 June 2018), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature Database (LILACS) (1982 to 20 June 2018), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov) and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic search for trials. We last searched the electronic databases on 20 June 2018.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized trials that compared one material to another for the treatment of congenital ptosis.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently completed eligibility screening, data abstraction, 'Risk of bias' assessment, and grading of the evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified three randomized trials that had compared four different materials, two materials in each trial. The studies included a total of 160 participants. The surgical procedures compared were polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex), Ethibond suture, Mersilene mesh, and autogenous fascia lata.We judged all studies to be at unclear risk of bias due to incomplete reporting of methods and other methodological deficiencies.Because the three included studies compared different types of implants, we were unable to combine data in a meta-analysis. The limited data preclude any conclusion regarding the optimal implant for frontalis sling surgery.In terms of the primary outcome of functional success, this was defined as widening of the opening between eyelids, assessed either by grade or by millimeter measurement. Bajaj 2004 showed that 93% of the Gore-Tex group and 83% of the Ethibond group had a good or satisfactory outcome (as defined by investigators). Elsamkary 2016 reported that 78.1% of the autogenous fascia group and 61.8% of the Gore-Tex group had a very good or good outcome. Salour 2008 did not include this type of grading system; they showed that the lid fissure increased 4.0 mm ± 1.46 mm in the Mersilene group and 3.13 mm ± 1.72 mm in the fascia lata group.In terms of adverse events, Bajaj 2004, which included 15 patients per group, showed no recurrence in the Gore-Tex group and 1 in the Ethibond group; no need for removal in the Gore-Tex group and 1 in the Ethibond group; and no infections in the Gore-Tex group and 1 in the Ethibond group. Elsamkary 2016, which included 55 patients per group, had 3 recurrences in the fascia group and 6 in the Gore-Tex group; no need for removal in either group; and 1 infection in the fascia group and 2 in the Gore-Tex group. Salour 2008, which included 10 patients per group, had no recurrence, removals, or infections in either the Mersilene or the fascia group.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The three trials included in this review evaluated four materials for frontalis sling surgery. Assessment of these three studies does not allow us to identify the optimal material. Future randomized trials should be rigorously designed so as to identify the best treatment for this condition.

Surgical treatment of severe congenital ptosis using deep temporal fascia

Purpose: To evaluate the surgical outcome of a frontalis sling using deep temporal fascia in the treatment of severe congenital ptosis (SCP). Methods: A retrospective, interventional case series was performed. The study involved 25 patients with SCP (>4 mm). All patients underwent frontalis sling surgery with deep temporal fascia between 2004 and 2012 with a follow-up period of 12 months at a minimum. Data regarding eyelid position, eyelid symmetry, cosmetic outcomes, and postoperative complications were evaluated. Results: The mean age at surgery was 7.68 years (range 4-17 years) with an average follow-up of 60 months (range is 12-108 months). The functional success rate was 88% (22/25). Ptosis recurred in 8% (2/25) of patients, overcorrection was present in 4% (1/25) of patients. The patients with ptosis recurrence underwent reoperation. The preoperative margin-to-reflex distance (MRD1) was -0.85±0.87 mm (range, -2.5 to + 0.5 mm), while the postoperative MRD1 was + 2.1 ± 1.05 mm (range, -1.5 to + 4 mm) (p < .0001). Lid symmetry (asymmetry < of 1 mm of MRD1 between the two eyes) was present in all the successful cases. Postoperative complications included transient exposure keratopathy (32%) and inflammatory brow reaction (8%). Conclusions: Frontalis sling operation with deep fascia temporalis is very effective in the treatment of SCP with excellent long-term functional and cosmetic successes.

Revision Surgery for Undercorrected Blepharoptosis After Frontalis Sling Operation Using Autogenous Fascia Lata

PURPOSE

Undercorrected blepharoptosis can be encountered after frontalis sling operation. Revision surgery for undercorrection has commonly involved introducing a new sling material. We describe and evaluate a simple surgical technique to correct undercorrection by adjusting preexisting fascia.

METHODS

This is a retrospective interventional case series of patients undergoing sling revision between February 2010 and February 2017. Skin incision was made on the previous incision line. Careful dissection was performed superiorly to identify a preexisting fascia, and the dissected fascia was reattached to the tarsal plate using nonabsorbable sutures with adjustments for eyelid height and contour. The success of the procedure was defined as less than 1 mm of difference in the marginal reflex distance 1 of both eyes without any contour deformity.

RESULTS

Twenty-one eyelids in 18 patients were included with a mean follow-up of 17.5 months (range 6-48) and a mean age of 14.7 years (range 5-57). All patients had undergone frontalis sling with autogenous fascia lata for congenital ptosis. Undercorrection due to recurrent ptosis was found in 12 eyelids, and contour deformity such as temporal ptosis was found in 9 eyelids. The mean time interval between previous frontalis sling operation and sling revision was 6.8 years. Nineteen patients (90.5%) achieved surgical success and a cosmetically acceptable appearance.

CONCLUSION

Sling revision is a simple and effective method with low perioperative morbidity for cases of undercorrection or contour deformity following frontalis sling operation using autogenous fascia lata, even long after the primary procedure.

Surgical treatment of unilateral severe simple congenital ptosis

Unilateral congenital ptosis with poor levator function of ≤4 mm continues to be a difficult challenge for the oculoplastic surgeon. Surgical correction can be accomplished with unilateral frontalis suspension, maximal levator resection, or bilateral frontalis suspension with or without levator muscle excision of the normal eyelid. Bilateral frontalis suspension was proposed by Beard and Callahan to overcome the challenge of postoperative asymmetry, allowing symmetrical lagophthalmos on downgaze, postoperatively. However, most surgeons and patients prefer unilateral correction on the abnormal eyelid either with a frontalis suspension or maximal levator resection. Frontalis suspension may be performed through the various surgical techniques using different autogenous or exogenous materials. Autogenous fascia lata is considered the material of choice with low recurrence rates but carries the drawbacks of the difficulty of harvesting and postoperative morbidity from the second surgical site. Recent reports have suggested that maximal levator resection provides improved cosmesis, a more natural contour, and avoids brow scars. Although both treatments have shown to have similar success rates, there is much debate about what the most favorable method for treating severe unilateral ptosis. We review the literature on the various surgical treatments for unilateral severe congenital ptosis, including the rationale, advantages and disadvantages of each technique.

Timing of surgical correction for the treatment of unilateral congenital ptosis: Effects on cosmetic and functional results

The authors analyzed the cosmetic and functional results of a series of patients with unilateral congenital ptosis who underwent levator resection, to compare the outcome of surgery according to the age of intervention, and to evaluate the chance of ptosis recurrence in different age groups. Analysis of the clinical charts of 44 patients who underwent a unilateral levator muscle resection under the care of one surgeon from February 2000 to March 2012 was performed. Age at the time of surgery ranged from 2.1 to 12 years. The study population was divided into different groups according to the age of surgery. Preoperative evaluation included measurements of upper eyelid margin reflex distance (MRD1), levator function, frontalis function, and complete extraocular motility examination. This study adheres to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. The patients' follow-up ranged between 2 and 12 years. The outcome of surgery was more satisfactory (MRD1 increase: p < 0.002) and the increase of levator function was better (p < 0.0001) when surgery was performed in children aged 2 to 4 years. No ptosis recurrence was observed in children aged 2 to 4 years, as opposed to 6 (22%) children of other groups (p = 0.067). Unilateral levator resection effectively reduces the asymmetry between eyelids. The age of the operation appears to influence the outcome of surgery, as in this series cosmetic and functional results are better and the rate of ptosis recurrence is lower if the child is operated on before the age of 4 years.

Clinical Results of Modified Frontalis Suspension Technique Using Preserved Fascia Lata for Congenital Ptosis

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of modified frontalis suspension technique with preserved fascia lata and to analyze the results according to age and preoperative ptosis degree.

METHODS

This study involved a retrospective review of the electronic medical records of congenital ptosis patients who underwent unilateral or bilateral frontalis sling surgery using preserved fascia lata between March 1, 2004 and December 31, 2012.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients (99 eyes) were included in the study. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 6.2 ± 6.7 years. Mean follow-up time was 5.4 ± 3.2 years. Among 77 patients, 22 patients (28.5%) had a mild degree of ptosis, 39 (50.6%) had moderate, and 16 (20.7%) had a severe degree of ptosis. A satisfactory result (good and fair) was achieved in 65 of the 77 patients (84.4%) and a poor result was recorded in 12 patients (15.5%). Preoperative ptosis degree had no effect on the surgical success rate (19/22 [86.3%] in the mild group versus 34/39 [87.1%] in the moderate group versus 12/16 [75%] in the severe group, P = 0.243). There was no significant difference in surgical success rate between the unilateral and bilateral ptosis groups (45/55 [81.8%] versus 20/22 [90.9%], P = 0.479 respectively), between sexes (41/46 [89.1%] in male versus 24/31 [77.4%] in female, P = 0.271), or age groups (52/60 [86.6%] in younger group versus 13/17 [76.4%] in elder group, P = 0.526). Recurrence of ptosis did not differ according to the preoperative ptosis degree (3/22 [13.6%] in the mild group, 5/39 [12.8%] in the moderate group, and 2/16 [12.5%] in the severe group, P = 0.994). Age also had no influence on the ptosis recurrence. The preoperative marginal reflex distance 1 of 0.41 ± 1.06 mm increased to 1.67 ± 0.80 mm postoperatively (P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors identified the long-term efficacy of preserved fascia lata in frontalis sling surgery with a modified frontalis suspension method for all age groups of patients. There was a small rate of recurrence (12.9%) over a maximum of 9 years of follow-up, which was corrected with additional surgery.

Suspensory Materials for Surgery of Blepharoptosis: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies

BACKGROUND

Frontalis suspension surgery is considered the procedure of choice in cases of blepharoptosis. Among all the materials used in this type of surgery, ophthalmic and plastic surgeons prefer to use autologous Fascia Lata. However, during years, other autogenous and exogenous materials have been introduced.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was therefore that of systematically reviewing the functional results and the rate of complications of different synthetic materials, as compared to autogenous Fascia Lata. The primary objective was to determine the rates of Successful Surgeries (SSs) of these materials. The secondary objective was to assess the onset of complications. The following materials were investigated: Fascia Lata, Mersilene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Silicon.

DATA SOURCE AND METHODS

Following the Prisma procedure, on January 30th, 2016 we used the following electronic databases to select the studies: MEDLINE and Scopus.

RESULTS

The search strategy retrieved 48 publications that met the eligibility criteria of the systematic review. All studies were non-comparative. PTFE (n = 5) showed the best rate of SSs among the materials compared (statistically significant). Surgeries performed with autogenous Fascia Lata (n = 19) had a 87% rate of success those performed with Mersilene (n = 12)had 92% and those performed with Silicon (n = 17)88%. PTFE had the best outcome, with 99% success rate. As for complications, surgeries performed with PTFE had a higher rate of suture infections (1.9%) as compared to Fascia Lata, but lower incidence for all other complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Although most studies were good quality cohort studies, the overall quality of this evidence should be regarded as low due to their non-comparative design. Our data suggest that PTFE seems to be the most valid alternative material for frontalis suspension surgery, with low recurrence rates and good cosmetic and functional results.