Abnormalities of eyelid position and function

Modified Levator Resection Technique for Moderate Congenital Blepharoptosis

BACKGROUND

For moderate ptosis associated with fair levator function (LF), the levator resection is the most commonly used procedure. However, the levator resection technique still has some disadvantages, such as residual lagophthalmos (RL), undercorrection, conjunctival prolapse, and eyelid contour abnormality. To solve the above problems, our team have made modifications to the levator resection technique in three aspects: releasing the levator muscle sufficiently, preserving the supporting structure of the conjunctiva, and placing multiple suture sites.

METHODS

Fifty-seven patients (81 eyes) underwent the modified levator resection technique and were enrolled in the study. Preoperative data collected included age, sex, margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1), and LF. Postoperative data collected included MRD1, RL, patient satisfaction, complications, and length of follow-up.

RESULTS

Mean MRD1 significantly increased from 1.45 ± 0.65 mm preoperatively to 3.57 ± 0.51 mm postoperatively. Mean LF significantly increased from 6.49 ± 1.12 mm preoperatively to 9.48 ± 1.39 mm postoperatively. Successful correction was obtained in 77 eyes (95.1%). Mean RL was 1.09 ± 0.57 and 72 eyes (88.9%) showed excellent or good eyelid closure function. Fifty-four patients (94.7%) were completely satisfied with the final result. Complications such as hematoma, infection, conjunctival prolapse, suture exposure, corneal abrasion, and keratitis were not found in any cases during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This modified levator resection technique introduced in this study is effective in correcting moderate congenital blepharoptosis, while minimizing RL, undercorrection, conjunctival prolapse, eyelid contour abnormality by releasing the levator muscle sufficiently, preserving the supporting structure of the conjunctiva, and placing multiple suture sites.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors 42 assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full 43 description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, 44 please refer to the Table of Contents or the online 45 Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Modified Simultaneous Double Eyelid Blepharoplasty and Ptosis Correction With a Single-Knot, Continuous, Nonincisional Technique

BACKGROUND

"Double eyelid" blepharoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic operations among Asian populations. Some patients might present with concomitant mild to moderate blepharoptosis, even though they choose initially to undergo blepharoplasty for cosmetic reasons.

OBJECTIVE

Using nonincisional double eyelid surgery without ptosis correction tends to produce unsatisfactory results. We introduce our modified suture method for the simultaneous correction of blepharoptosis during double eyelid blepharoplasty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We carried out a retrospective review on 13 patients who underwent simultaneous nonincisional ptosis correction and double eyelid surgery, using a single-knot continuous technique, from January 2017 to December 2019. A superior tarsal (Müller's) muscle tagging suture was utilized to achieve an accurate tucking during surgery and create a double upper lid fold simultaneously.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 31.8 years (range=23-54), and 9 patients (69%) were female. The mean marginal reflex distance 1 increased from 2.46±0.36 mm preoperatively to 4.07±0.61 mm postoperatively with a statistically significant difference. Most patients showed favorable results with an average of 10.8 months of follow-up and minimal complications.

CONCLUSIONS

This simultaneous double eyelid blepharoplasty technique using a single-knot, continuous, nonincisional technique is relatively easy and effective, with minimal downtime and few postoperative complications, and avoids scarring for patients with mild to moderate blepharoptosis.

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 .

Repair Techniques for Failed Double-Eyelids Involving Restoration of Eyelid Anatomical Structure and Function

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate techniques for repairing previously failed double-eyelid surgeries based on different anatomical structure injuries.

METHODS

A total of 120 patients with failed double-eyelids in our hospital were enrolled and classified into four types according to their anatomical structure damage: type I, unsmooth radians of the double-eyelid line; type II, upper socket depression; type III, iatrogenic ptosis; and type IV, comprehensive damage. Accordingly, methods of restoration included orbital septum fat supplement, repair of levator palpebrae superioris, and treatment of scar. Postoperative follow-up time points were 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months. Outcome observations were binocular symmetry, fluency of double-eyelid, scar recovery, height and contour profile of the upper eyelid margin, and plumpness of the upper eyelid. The eyelid morphological score was evaluated using photographs of preoperative and 6-month postoperative data, and the effect of eyelid repair was evaluated objectively by statistical analysis.

RESULTS

At 1 month after surgery, the height of the upper palpebral margin was maintained in most patients and located at 1-2 mm below the superior limbus. At 6 months after surgery, most patients had better restorative effects. Comparison of mean eyelid morphological scores showed a statistically significant improvement following surgery (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The technique of restoring eyelid anatomical structure in failed double-eyelids not only recovered the normal function of injured eyelids but also produced satisfactory aesthetic effects.

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 .

A Modified Levator Resection Technique Involving Retention of the Levator Palpebrae Superioris Muscle Suspension System for Treatment of Congenital Ptosis

BACKGROUND

The classical levator resection (LR) technique for correcting ptosis involves separating the levator palpebrae superioris muscle (LPS) completely, which will inevitably collapse the muscle. The modified surgical method involving retention of the LPS suspensory system can allow for more contractility of the levator muscle and thus maximize protection of the eyelid structure.

METHODS

Ninety patients (132 eyelids) with different degrees of ptosis were enrolled. The same levator resection surgery whereby the suspensory system of the LPS is retained was performed in each patient. Postoperative outcome measures included the following: position of the upper eyelid margin, eyelid contour and plumpness, degree of scleral exposure, and exposure keratitis. Postoperative follow-up time points were 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months.

RESULTS

The positions of the eyelid upper margins were normal in all cases, and lagophthalmos only existed in severe cases in the early stage after surgery. Six months after surgery, 32% of the eyes had residual ptosis to varying degrees among severe cases, and the mild and moderate cases exhibited good surgical outcomes. The eyelids had appropriate closing functionality, and exposure keratitis was not observed in any case. Eyelid contour and plumpness was satisfactory in all patients.

CONCLUSION

Retaining the suspensory system of the LPS for LR with a modified surgery can protect the normal function and morphology of the eyelids. The surgery had a high success rate, especially for cases of mild and moderate ptosis.

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 utility of margin-reflex distance in determining the type of surgical intervention for congenital blepharoptosis

Aims:

To evaluate the utility of margin-reflex distance (MRD) as an alternative to levator function (LF) in choosing the appropriate surgical procedure for congenital blepharoptosis.

Settings and Design:

This was a retrospective, observational study.

Subjects and Methods:

Records of patients with simple (dystrophic) congenital ptosis who were operated and followed for ≥6 months postoperatively and whose outcomes were deemed as successful were evaluated in the study. Success was defined as a MRD at the last postoperative visit of ≥3 mm. In all cases, levator resection was performed when LF was >4 mm and frontalis suspension when LF was ≤4 mm.

Statistical Analysis Used:

For statistical evaluations, LF was accepted as the gold standard parameter for deciding on the surgical intervention, and the optimum cutoff point for initial MRD was determined as the point at which sensitivity and specificity was highest at the receiving operating curve for the selection of surgical procedure.

Results:

Of one hundred and three eyes of ninety patients (44 female/46 male), levator resection was used in 44.7% and frontalis suspension in 55.3%. When the optimum cutoff point for MRD was determined as 0.5 mm, the sensitivity was 71%, specificity was 86%, and the area under the curve that represented the discriminative power of this parameter was found to be 0.826.

Conclusion:

The MRD at the cutoff point of 0.5 mm may be used as an alternative to LF to determine the type of surgical intervention in patients with congenital blepharoptosis whose LF cannot be reliably obtained in clinical evaluations.

Blepharoptosis correction: levator aponeurosis-Müller muscle complex advancement with three partial incisions

BACKGROUND

Ptosis of the upper eyelid, blepharoptosis, is defined as an abnormally low-positioned upper eyelid margin in the primary gaze, which results in narrowing of the palpebral fissure and opening. Blepharoplasty, including a double-eyelid fold operation, is the most common aesthetic operation in the East Asian population. Patients who want to undergo blepharoplasty often have mild to moderate blepharoptosis.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of the medical records and preoperative and postoperative photographs of 74 patients who underwent simultaneous blepharoptosis correction and double-eyelid surgery between January of 2007 and October of 2011. All patients had mild (1 to 2 mm) or moderate (3 to 4 mm) bilateral blepharoptosis and excellent or good levator function (>8 mm). All patients underwent levator aponeurosis-Müller muscle complex advancement through three partial incisions.

RESULTS

A primary blepharoptosis operation was performed in 46 patients, with a secondary operation performed in 28 patients. Double-eyelid fold operations were performed in all cases. The average preoperative margin reflex distance 1 measured 0.8 ± 0.19 mm. No intraoperative complications occurred. The average postoperative margin reflex distance 1 was 3.6 ± 0.25 mm. There was a statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative distance values (p < 0.05). Excellent results occurred in 62 patients (83.8 percent), good results occurred in 11 (14.9 percent), fair results occurred in one (1.35 percent), and poor results did not occur.

CONCLUSION

Blepharoptosis correction with levator aponeurosis-Müller muscle complex advancement through three partial incisions is an effective technique for young patients with mild to moderate blepharoptosis who do not want incision scars.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, IV.

Blepharoptosis correction with buried suture method

BACKGROUND

Many surgical techniques have been developed to correct blepharoptosis, including the anterior levator resection or advancement, tarsoaponeurectomy, and Fasanella-Servat Müllerectomy. However, to minimize surgical scarring and reduce the postoperative recovery time, the procedure has been developed from a complete incision to a partial incision, which is appealing to patients. To aid the procedural development, this study describes a surgical technique in which the correction of blepharoptosis and a double eyelid fold operation are performed using a buried suture technique during the same operation.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted using the medical records and preoperative and postoperative photography of 121 patients who underwent simultaneous correction of blepharoptosis and had a double eyelid fold created between October 2010 and July 2011. All of the patients had mild (1-2 mm) or moderate (3-4 mm) bilateral blepharoptosis and excellent or good levator function (>8 mm).

RESULTS

The average preoperative marginal reflex distance (MRD1) measured 1.174 (0.3) mm. No intraoperative complications occurred. The average postoperative MRD1 measured 3.968 (0.2) mm. There was statistical significance improvement between preoperative MRD1 and postoperative MRD1 (P<0.05). No symptomatic dry eye and exposure keratopathy were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Blepharoptosis correction using the buried suture technique is an effective technique for young patients experiencing mild to moderate blepharoptosis who want to have the double eyelid fold operation using the buried suture technique.