Single-suture brow lift in VII palsy

Dual-plane lift-and-hold technique for brow ptosis in young patients with facial paralysis

BACKGROUND

Direct browlift is useful but leaves a scar above the brow. We proposed a dual-plane browlift to avoid facial scarring while effectively resolving brow ptosis in young and young adult patients.

METHODS

Seven patients with facial palsy underwent dual-plane browlift between July 2018 and June 2022. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 31.9 months. Skin resection at the hairline was combined with subcutaneous dissection down to the inferior margin of the brow to "lift" the brow. Fascia lata strips were fixed to the dermis just inferior to the eyebrow to "hold" the brow, and the strips were suspended upward through the subperiosteal tunnel and fixed to the periosteum. Brow height was compared before and after the procedure and with the contralateral side.

RESULTS

The reported complications included slight hematoma at the recipient site, temporary difficulty in closing the eye, and seroma at the fascia donor site. The paralyzed side showed significant differences between the preoperative period and postoperative months (POM) 3, 6, and 12, but differences were not shown in the intervals between POM 3 and 6, 6 and 12, or 3 and 12. The difference in eyebrow height between the paralyzed and nonparalyzed sides was significant preoperatively but not at POM 3, 6, or 12. All scars matured well, and the fascia silhouette was not visible in the forehead region.

CONCLUSIONS

Dual-plane browlift enables rigid suspension using the fascia lata and excises flaccid skin without leaving facial scars, yielding excellent cosmetic quality and stable long-term outcomes.

Outcome of External Dacryocystorhinostomy and Monocanalicular Intubation in Patients with Total Obstruction of One Canalicus

Purpose

We sought to evaluate the outcomes of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and mono-canalicular intubation in patients with total obstruction of one canalicus.

Methods

Sixteen eyes of 16 patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction and a single canaliculus obstruction who had undergone external DCR and monocanalicular intubation of the intact canaliculus were retrospectively included in the present study. The monocanalicular tube (Mini Monoka) was left in place for at least two months. Munk epiphora grading for the evaluation of epiphora and irrigation was performed both preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively.

Results

Mean patient age was 46 ± 14.2 (range, 18 to 76) years. The inferior canaliculus was obstructed in nine eyes (group A) and the superior canaliculus was obstructed in seven eyes (group B), respectively. Eight eyes had chronic dacryocystitis and two of these eyes also had a history of acute dacryocystitis attack. Mean preoperative Munk scores were 3.89 in group A and 4.0 in group B. Ocular surface irritation occurred in one eye in group A. Artificial eye drops were prescribed and early tube removal was not performed. Spontaneous tube dislocation was recorded in one eye in group B. No other corneal, punctal, or canalicular complications were found. At six months, irrigation of intact canaliculus was patent in all eyes. Mucoid discharge, conjunctival hyperemia, and chronic conjunctivitis were also resolved. Postoperative Munk scores were 1.11 ± 0.9 in group A and 0.86 ± 0.9 in group B. Of note, preoperative and postoperative Munk scores were significantly different in both groups (group A, p = 0.006; group B, p = 0.017). The postoperative Munk scores were not statistically different between the two groups (p = 0.606).

Conclusions

In patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction and a total of one canaliculus obstruction, external DCR and monocanalicular intubation of the intact canaliculus is an effective surgical option.