A modified staged surgical intervention for blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome: 125 cases with encouraging results

Lambda-double-fixation for medial epicanthoplasty in Blepharophimosis - Ptosis - Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome

PURPOSE

This study aims to describe a novel approach to medial epicanthoplasty in patients with blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) and evaluate the surgical outcome of this technique.

METHODS

A retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series involving 22 BPES patients who underwent medial epicanthoplasty using the Lambda-Double-Fixation technique (LDFT) performed by a single surgeon. Pre- and postoperative measurements of inner intercanthal distance (DIC) and horizontal palpebral fissure (HPFL) were recorded. Concurrent or staged ptosis surgery and lateral cantholysis, along with any complications, were documented.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 2.9 ± 2.2 years. Preoperatively, the mean DIC measured 34.0 ± 2.7 mm, significantly reducing to 23.7 ± 2.1 mm postoperatively (p < 0.001). A notable increase in mean HPFL was observed in both eyes postoperatively: right eye form 18.4 ± 2.4 mm to 23.7 ± 1.8 mm (p < 0.001) and left eye from 18.3 ± 2.4 mm to 23.8 ± 1.9 mm (p < 0.001). Postoperative scars were barely visible in all patients.

CONCLUSION

LDFT is a simple and reproducible technique for medial epicanthoplasty in BPES. Our results affirm that LDFT induces a physiologically concave reshaping of the medial canthal region, optimizing access to the peritarsal zone and ensuring a secure fixation of the new canthus. These benefits lead to a reduction in ICD and an increase in HPFL, leading to a cosmetically appealing postoperative outcome.

The Genetic and Clinical Features of FOXL2-Related Blepharophimosis, Ptosis and Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome

Blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is a craniofacial disorder caused by heterozygous variants of the forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) gene. It shows autosomal dominant inheritance but can also occur sporadically. Depending on the mutation, two phenotypic subtypes have been described, both involving the same craniofacial features: type I, which is associated with premature ovarian failure (POF), and type II, which has no systemic features. The genotype-phenotype correlation is not fully understood, but it has been hypothesised that type I BPES involves more severe loss of function variants spanning the whole gene. Type II BPES has been linked to frameshift mutations that result in elongation of the protein rather than complete loss of function. A mutational hotspot has been identified within the poly-alanine domain, although the exact function of this region is still unknown. However, the BPES subtype cannot be determined genetically, necessitating informed genetic counselling and careful discussion of family planning advice in view of the associated POF particularly as the patient may still be a child. Following puberty, female patients should be referred for ovarian reserve and response assessment. Oculofacial features can be managed with surgical intervention and regular monitoring to prevent amblyopia.

[Management of blepharophimosis, ptosis, epicanthus inversus syndrome at a referral center in Tunisia]

INTRODUCTION

Blepharophimosis ptosis epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is a rare congenital hereditary abnormality. It includes complex orbital-palpebral malformations, causing aesthetic and functional ramifications. Management of BPES requires two steps : diagnosis and treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective descriptive study of 44 patients (88 eyelids) with blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). In our series, we opted for two-stage surgery in 28 cases : epicanthus-telecanthus surgery followed by ptosis surgery. Simultaneous surgery was performed in 5 cases.

RESULTS

The mean age at the first visit was 6 years (6.1±6.4). The mean age of our patients at the time of the first surgery was 6.6 years. Epicanthus surgery was performed in 35 cases. The two techniques used to correct epicanthus were Y-V plasty in 30 cases (85.7%, n=35) and Y-V+double Z plasty in 5 cases (14.3%, n=35). Correction of the telecanthus was performed at the same time by a medial canthal tendon plication in 31 cases (88.6%, n=35) or transnasal canthopexy in 4 cases (11.4%, n=35). The mean age at the time of ptosis surgery was 7.23 years (±6.25), ranging from 8 months to 27 years. Ptosis surgery was performed in 41 cases (79 eyelids), of which 3 patients underwent unilateral ptosis surgery due to asymmetrical ptosis. The techniques used were levator resection in 64 eyelids and frontal suspension in 15 eyelids.

CONCLUSION

BPES is often clinically diagnosed. The difficulty in management lies in the complex surgery required. There is no established consensus regarding surgical techniques or the timing of the surgeries.

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.

[Effectiveness of upper eyelid rotation flap via blepharoplasty incision for correction of mild to moderate epicanthus]

Objective

To evaluate an modified epicanthoplasty which can reduce epicanthic scar in blepharoplasty with mild to moderate epicanthus, by using upper eyelid rotation flap via blepharoplasty incision.

Methods

A clinical data of 34 patients with mild and moderate epicanthus (trial group), who were treated with blepharoplasty and epicanthoplasty by using upper eyelid rotation flap, between July 2016 and October 2017, was retrospectively analyzed. And 38 patients who were treated with blepharoplasty and epicanthoplasty by using traditional "Z" plastic method were recruited as control group. There was no significant difference in age and degree of epicanthus between 2 groups ( P>0.05). The lengths of palpebral fissure were measured at preoperation and at 6 days and 6 months after operation, and the length difference between pre- and post-operation was calculated to evaluate the improvement degree. The effectiveness was evaluated with reference to the scale of epicanthus orthopedics.

Results

All incisions of 2 groups healed by first intention, and all patients were followed up 6 months. The epicanthi of 2 groups were significantly corrected. The inner canthus of trial group had no incision; and there were scars at inner canthus of control group, with obvious hyperplasia in 6 cases. The improvement degree of the length of palpebral fissure in trial group and control group were 3.63%±0.07%, 3.70%±0.05% and 4.64%±0.09%, 4.46%±0.10% at 6 days and 6 months after operation, respectively. There was no significant difference between 2 groups ( t=0.005, P=0.996; t=0.287, P=0.871). The effectiveness was excellent in 20 cases, good in 12 cases, and poor in 2 cases in trial group, with an excellent and good rate of 94.12%; meanwhile, the effectiveness was excellent in 16 cases, good in 16 cases, and poor in 6 cases in control group, with an excellent and good rate of 84.21%. There was no significant difference between 2 groups ( χ ²=0.796, P=0.372).

Conclusion

The modified epicanthoplasty by using upper eyelid rotation flap via blepharoplasty incision can significantly reduce epicanthic scar with simple operation and satisfactory effectiveness.

[Palpebral malformations in children]

Palpebral malformations can be isolated or associated with a craniofacial disorder. Their assessment is based on clinical examination; additional investigations are mainly done to characterize craniofacial syndromes. In case of extrapalpebral lesions or complex craniofacial pathology, genetic testing must be performed. Some isolated malformations will only need a simple follow-up; others must have specific treatment, undertaken following a precise timing, taking into account child and anatomical structures' growth and the possible consequences of the malformation on the eye and child's sight (degree of urgency). When dealing with these malformations, there are two main risks to be taken into consideration: corneal irritation due to lagophtalmos and amblyopia owing to visual axis obstruction, anisometropia or strabismus.