Transitioning from a gold weight to an "enhanced" palpebral spring in the management of paralytic lagophthalmos secondary to facial nerve palsy

Cerclage sling technique using temporalis muscle fascia to manage paralytic lagophthalmos: A preliminary study

PURPOSE

Despite various existing surgical techniques, treatment of facial nerve palsy remains difficult. The purpose of this report is to present the cerclage sling technique using temporalis fascia to manage paralytic lagophthalmos.

METHODS

A series of six patients underwent a cerclage sling technique using temporalis muscle fascia to treat paralytic lagophthalmos. The technique is presented in detail. Symptoms, palpebral fissures, and lagophthalmos were assessed pre- and postoperatively. Data were submitted for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

After surgery, all patients achieved a reduction in clinical symptoms. The upper eyelids had lowered, and the inferior eyelids had elevated, reducing ocular exposure even if mild residual lagophthalmos was present.

CONCLUSION

Cerclage using the temporalis muscle fascia sling technique is a safe and effective procedure to treat facial nerve paralytic lagophthalmos. A reduction in ocular exposure and lagophthalmos provides improvement in clinical symptoms and eyelid function.

Upper eyelid weighting for lagophthalmos results in contralateral upper eyelid elevation

INTRODUCTION

Upper eyelid weighting decreases lagophthalmos by improving blink dynamics. The effect of weighting on static eyelid position is less well understood. This study describes the effect of upper eyelid weighting on ipsilateral and contralateral upper eyelid position.

METHODS

Patients with unilateral lagophthalmos who underwent upper eyelid weight implantation were included. Primary outcome measures were ipsilateral and contralateral margin to reflex distance 1 (MRD1), preoperatively and postoperatively. MRD1 symmetry was assessed as a secondary outcome measure. Weight mass was examined as a covariate of MRD1 change.

RESULTS

23 patients (16 female, 7 male) met inclusion criteria. After weighting, contralateral MRD1 increased from mean [SD] 2.91 [1.41] mm to 3.77 [1.75] mm (p < .05). Ipsilateral (weighted) MRD1 did not significantly change (2.64 [1.41] mm to 2.40 [1.18] mm, p = .11). Preoperatively, paretic and normal side MRD1 were not different (p = .52). Postoperatively, weighted and unweighted MRD1 were significantly different (p < .05). Weight mass was not a covariate of MRD1 change, neither ipsilateral nor contralateral (p = .76, p = .71, respectively). The proportion of patients with MRD1 asymmetry ≥ 1 mm preoperatively (12/23, 52.2%) did not change following surgery (17/23, 73.9%, p = .12).

CONCLUSION

Weight insertion led to contralateral eyelid elevation, a manifestation of Hering's law. Weight mass did not impact the magnitude of MRD1 change, and the proportion of patients with MRD1 asymmetry ≥ 1 mm did not change following surgery. These findings may guide surgeons in their preoperative planning and in counseling of patients.