Frontalis suspension with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sheet for congenital ptosis repair

Outcomes for expanded polytetrafluoroethylene strip in frontalis suspension surgery

PURPOSE

This study evaluates surgical outcomes and complication rates of frontalis suspension with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study reviewed all patients undergoing frontalis suspension surgery using ePTFE as the sling material from January 1 2012 to March 3 2020 by a single surgeon at a single academic center. Two different surgical techniques were evaluated in the placement of the sling material. Demographic, clinical, and operative data were extracted. Outcome data including postoperative lid height, reoperation, and complication rate were extracted for the cohort and compared between the two surgical techniques. Descriptive statistics were utilized.

RESULTS

Sixty-four eyes from 49 unique patients were included in this study. Forty-three (67.2%) patients had isolated congenital blepharoptosis; 14 (21.9%) had blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES); and 2 (3.1%) had cranial nerve III palsy. Fifty-one (79.7%) patients had no prior blepharoptosis surgery. Lid crease incision and stab incision techniques were utilized for 24 (37.5%) and 40 (62.5%) eyes, respectively. Overall, 21 (32.8%) eyes required reoperation with ePTFE to achieve appropriate eyelid height or contour. Only one patient experienced implant infection, requiring removal of ePTFE sling after a second reoperation. There were no cases of implant exposure or granuloma formation noted during the study period.

CONCLUSION

An ePTFE strip soaked in cefazolin prior to utilization in surgery is a viable material for frontalis suspension surgery, with a lower infectious or inflammatory complication rate than previously reported. However, reoperation rate was still relatively high.

Supraciliary Incision as a Modified Approach for Asian Blepharoptosis Patients

BACKGROUND

Blepharoptosis may result in an unattractive appearance and vision problems. According to the severity of ptosis, patients may undergo correction surgery using upper eyelid retractors. The conventional incision for surgical procedures was the double-eyelid incision, potentially resulting in an obvious and unnatural scar or long-lasting edema and prolonged recovery time.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to introduce a supraciliary incision as an alternative to the double-eyelid incision for blepharoptosis correction that creates a scarless, natural appearance with a quick recovery time.

METHODS

From June 2019 to June 2021, 32 patients (36 eyelids) underwent blepharoptosis correction through a supraciliary incision. MRD1, the height of the eyelid fissure, and the patient's satisfaction with the shape and scar as well as postoperative complications (eyelid insufficiency, conjunctival prolapse, inadequate correction of ptosis, and excessive correction of ptosis).

RESULTS

All 32 patients (36 eyelids) were followed up for 6 to 18 months, with an average follow-up of 11.6 months. The postoperative satisfaction rate was 96.43%. There was no overcorrection, but one patient (1 eyelid, 2.8%) was under correction that required secondary correction. One patient (1 eyelid, 2.8%) experienced conjunctival prolapse. Sixteen patients showed lagophthalmos early after surgery, in which one patient experienced early-stage keratitis and completely recovered within two months.

CONCLUSION

Blepharoptosis correction via supraciliary incision allows for broader indications and fewer surgical scars without disrupting eyelid integrity, resulting in quick recovery after surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Timing of Surgery and Treatment Options for Congenital Ptosis in Children: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Congenital ptosis has varying degrees of impact on the visual development or psychological health of a child depending on its severity. Some controversies and misconceptions remain regarding the management of congenital ptosis in children. Particularly, the accurate diagnosis of the severity of congenital ptosis in younger children, assessment of the visual developmental status of the child, optimal timing of surgery, and treatment choice are still issues in clinical practice that need to be explored. This report presents a comprehensive review of these aspects of the correction of congenital ptosis to provide a valuable reference for clinical practice. Our review shows that currently used surgical procedures for ptosis may result in over- or under-correction to varying degrees. The differences may be due to the physical condition and age of the child and the degree of cooperation during preoperative examination and assessment, resulting in inaccurate results. Alternatively, intraoperative swelling and bleeding may lead to errors in the values recorded by the surgeon. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Conjoint Fascial Sheath Suspension for Correction of Recurrent Blepharoptosis

BACKGROUND

Blepharoptosis is defined as an abnormally low-positioned upper eyelid margin in the primary gaze position, which results in cosmetic discomfort and functional visual dysfunction. Recurrence is one of the common complications after ptosis correction and requires further revision. Conjoint fascial sheath (CFS) suspension has become increasingly popular for ptosis. In this article, we described our experience of CFS suspension in the treatment of recurrent blepharoptosis and evaluated the postoperative outcomes so as to guide the clinical application of CFS suspension.

METHODS

Thirty-eight patients (48 eyelids) who had recurrent blepharoptosis and received CFS suspension were included in this study. Before the surgery, the degree of ptosis and levator function were assessed. The postoperative evaluation consisted of the correction effect, eyelid symmetry, protective closure function of eyelid, and surgical complications.

RESULTS

At the final follow-up, 46 eyelids (95.8%) showed an ideal correction, of which 24 eyelids (50%) showed sufficient correction and 22 eyelids (45.8%) showed normal correction. The remaining 2 eyelids (4.2%) showed under-correction. Among all 38 patients, 26 patients (68.4%) achieved good symmetry, and 10 patients (26.3%) achieved fair symmetry, while only 2 patients (5.3%) showed poor symmetry. Recovery time of eyelid protective closure function was 3.9 ± 1.04 months (range, 2.5-6 months). There were no complications except residual lagophthalmos (9 eyelids) residual conjunctival prolapse (10 eyelids).

CONCLUSION

CFS suspension is an effective method for the correction of recurrent blepharoptosis due to its sufficient correction effect, recovery of eyelid protective closure function, and less complication rate.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Maximal levator resection versus Gore-Tex® sling for congenital blepharoptosis with poor levator function

BACKGROUND:

Treating congenital blepharoptosis is often mandatory to clear the visual access and avoid amblyopia; however, when the levator function is poor, achieving a satisfactory long-term outcome is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of maximal levator resection (MLR) with those of frontalis suspension (FS) using Gore-Tex ^®, in the treatment of congenital blepharoptosis with poor levator function.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

The study included 102 eyelids of 66 patients of mean age 4.3 ± 1.6 standard deviation (SD) years, randomly divided into two groups (51 eyes each). Group A: FS using Gore-Tex ^®, Group B: MLR. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated at 1, 6 and 12 months. Patients' ophthalmic examination including margin-reflex distance (MRD1) before and after surgery and postoperative complications were recorded.

RESULTS:

At the end of the follow-up, the mean MRD1 increased from 0.3 ± 0.7 SD mm in Group A, 0.4 ± 0.8 SD mm in Group B preoperatively, to 2.7 ± 0.5 SD mm and 2.9 ± 0.7 SD mm, respectively (P < 0.001 in both groups). Results of Group B were significantly higher than Group A (P = 0.047). Success was achieved in 77 eyelids (75.4%), distributed as follows: 36 eyelids (70.6%) in Group A, and 41 eyelids (80.1%) in Group B. The total recurrence rate was 6.9% (seven eyes), while other complications were recorded in 23 eyes (22.5%).

CONCLUSION:

MLR, compared to FS with Gore-Tex^® sling, can be a more efficient surgical option to correct congenital blepharoptosis with poor levator excursion. Prominent postoperative lagophthalmos warrants close ocular surface observation in early follow-up weeks.

Combination of Dermal fat Grafting and Frontalis Suspension Using Polytetrafluoroethylene Sheet for Blepharoptosis With a Deep Sulcus

ABSTRACT

The frontalis suspension procedure is a common surgical method for patients with severe blepharoptosis. While frontalis suspension is a very effective method, the transplant material may be visualized after surgery in patients with a deep sulcus and severe blepharoptosis. To prevent this complication, we performed a combination of dermal fat grafting and frontalis suspension using a polytetrafluoroethylene sheet in 5 patients (6 eyelids). We followed-up the patients for at least 6 months postoperatively (mean: 6.8 months) and observed no transplant material visualization or occurrence of infection. The mean pre- and postoperative margin reflex distance-1 was -3.75 (-5 to -2) and 2.10 (1-3), respectively. Bulky upper eyelids were observed 6 months postoperatively in 1 patient (2 eyelids). None of the patients underwent reoperation. In conclusion, the combination of frontalis suspension using a polytetrafluoroethylene sheet and dermal fat grafting for severe blepharoptosis and a deep upper eyelid sulcus was effective in preventing visualization of the transplant material.

Minimally Invasive Conjoint Fascial Sheath Suspension for Blepharoptosis Correction

BACKGROUND

Blepharoptosis can not only affect facial appearance but physical and mental health as well. Traditional treatments require long recovery time and leave unpleasant scars. In this study, we explored a simple and effective way to correct mild, moderate blepharoptosis and analyzed the causes and precautions for postoperative complications.

METHODS

From March 2014 to May 2017, patients presenting with mild or moderate bilateral or unilateral blepharoptosis underwent minimally invasive blepharoptosis correction using suspension of the conjoint fascial sheath of the levator and superior rectus. Mild blepharoptosis was corrected by 1 or 2 of loops suspension sutures, whereas moderate blepharoptosis was corrected by 3 or 5 loops. The postoperative evaluation, including the degree of correction or residual ptosis, asymmetry and presence of lagophthalmos, was performed after a minimum follow-up period of 9 months.

RESULTS

Forty patients (55 eyelids) were included. The mean followed up period was 13.40 ± 4.60 months. Good results were seen in 48 ptosis eyes (87.27%). Double eyelid crease was formed simultaneously without an obvious wound. Two mild ptosis eyelids received a fair result, and 4 moderate ptosis eyelids improved to "mild ptosis." The mean marginal reflex distance 1 significantly increased postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Long-term follow-up indicates that minimally invasive conjoint fascial sheath suspension works well for mild and moderate ptosis. With its short recovery time, simultaneous double eyelid crease formation and long-lasting effect, the surgery is worth popularizing.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The inflammation influence on corneal surface after frontalis suspension surgery

AIM

To study the influence of frontalis muscle flap suspension on ocular surface by analyzing the clinical features and inflammatory cytokines.

METHODS

A prospective, observational case series. Thirty-one eyes of 25 patients with severe congenital blepharoptosis who underwent frontalis muscle flap suspension surgery with at least 6mo of follow-up were included in the study. The main outcome measures were margin reflex distance 1 (MRD₁), degree of lagophthalmos, ocular surface disease index (OSDI), fluorescein staining (Fl), tear break-up time (BUT), Schirmer I test, and inflammatory cytokine assay.

RESULTS

The degrees of lagophthalmos significantly increased after surgery. The OSDI scores significantly increased 1wk postoperatively and then decreased 4wk after operation. The Fl scores reflected corneal epithelial defects in sixteen patients at early stage postoperatively. The BUT and Schirmer I test values remained stable and did not show change compared to those before surgery. The inflammatory cytokines in conjunctival epithelial cells (including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-17A) significantly increased 1wk after the surgery (P<0.001), then returned to the normal level at 24wk postoperatively. The levels of inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-17A elevated significantly and were positively correlated with OSDI and Fl scores.

CONCLUSION

Frontalis muscle flap suspension surgery results in lagophthalmos in early period of post-operation and relieved after months. The elevation of inflammatory cytokines level may participate in the occurrence of corneal epithelial defects at the early postoperative stage.

Epithelial dysplasia in pterygium postoperative granuloma

Pterygium postoperative granuloma (PPG) is one of the common complications of pterygium surgery. In order to provide the structural features of PPG, and to further explore its pathogenetic mechanism, we analyzed clinical and pathological characteristics of 12 PPG cases. New blood vessels were observed under a slit lamp in PPG and peripheral conjunctival tissues. In vivo confocal imaging showed that there was extensive neovascularization in the stroma, accompanied by infiltration of dendritic cells and inflammatory cells. Dense fibrous structures were observed in some PPG tissues. H&E staining results confirmed neovascularization and inflammatory cells in PPG tissues. In addition, H&E staining exhibited epithelioid tissue covering some PPG tissues. The immunofluorescence results demonstrated that the PPG epithelium was negative for K19, K10 and Muc5AC. Compared with the normal conjunctiva and pterygium, the expression of collagen IV in PPG basement membrane decreased, the expression of pan-cytokeratin (PCK), claudin 4 and E-cadherin in PPG epithelium was significantly lower, while the expression of vimentin, α-SMA and Snail was significantly increased. Therefore, our results suggest that the expression of epithelial keratin markers and goblet cell specific mucin marker is downregulated in the PPG tissues, and it likely is associated with the occurrence of EMT in granulomatous tissues.