Orbitomalar Suspension With Combined Single Drill Hole Canthoplasty

Lateral tarsal strip through osteotomies for recurrent ectropion and eyelid laxity correction

OBJECTIVE

to present a surgical technique for treating patients with recurrent ectropion and severe lower eyelid laxity.

METHODS

Lateral tarsal strip and canthal fixation by osteotomy was performed in 6 patients with recurrent ectropion and 1 patient with extreme lower eyelid laxity secondary to an anophthalmic socket. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were evaluated in order to assess the outcomes of the procedure. Patients were followed up 4 weeks, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months of the postoperative period. The initial symptoms of the patients were eye redness, epiphora, foreign body sensation, aesthetic complaints, and facial asymmetry. Symptoms and aesthetic results were assessed by questioning, photographs, and fluorescein and lissamine green stains taken in each visit.

RESULTS

No postoperative complications were observed. No recurrence episodes were reported during the follow-up period and physical appearance improvement and symptom severity reduction were maintained during the observation.

CONCLUSION

Lateral tarsal strip through osteotomies is an effective surgical procedure for treating severe recurrent ectropion cases or lower eyelid laxity and could be considered as an alternative treatment option or even a primary surgical technique in selected difficult cases.

The Treatment of Post-blepharoplasty Lower Eyelid Retraction

Numerous solutions for post-blepharoplasty lower eyelid retraction are reviewed. Patients require permanent recruitment of skin and soft tissue to lengthen the lower eyelid and control of the lower eyelid shape. The authors use a hand-carved expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) implant held with microscrews to provide volume and felting material at the orbital rim and to permanently fix vertically lifted cheek soft tissue into the lower eyelid. The eyelid margin is also controlled with a hard palate graft inset into the conjunctival surface below the tarsus. This eyelid reconstruction avoids tension on the lateral canthoplasty, a point of failure in other solutions.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Lateral Canthal Resuspension

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term results of lateral canthal resuspension over time.

DESIGN

A cohort study of adults (n = 25, 45 eyelids) undergoing lateral canthal resuspension.

METHODS

Marginal reflex distance 2 (MRD2), inferior scleral show, lateral canthal height, lateral canthal angle, horizontal palpebral aperture, and lateral scleral triangle area were measured preoperatively and at postoperative week 1, month 3, and the final follow-up visit.

RESULTS

Minimum follow-up time was 6 months (mean, 15.1 months). At the final follow-up visit, MRD2 decreased by 0.41 ± 0.14 mm, inferior scleral show decreased by 0.27 ± 0.05 mm, and lateral canthal height increased by 0.81 ± 0.15 mm. The overall function of time was found to be significant for change in MRD2 (P < 0.01). In multiple comparisons, all time point values were significantly different from one another (Bonferroni corrected, P < 0.05), except for 3 months and the final position, which were not. Similarly, the overall effect of time on lateral canthus position was also significant (P < 0.01). All time points were significantly different from one another (Bonferroni corrected, P < 0.05). The overall effect of time on inferior scleral show was also significant (P < 0.01). Differences were significant from preoperative to final postoperative position, although the other time points were not significant (Bonferroni corrected, P < 0.05). No complications were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive lateral canthal resuspension provides durable, albeit modest, improvements in MRD2, inferior scleral show, and lateral canthal height without significantly changing lateral canthal angle, horizontal palpebral aperture, or lateral scleral triangle area.

The Locking Y Lateral Canthopexy With Osseous Integration: Clinical Experience and Surgical Technique

PURPOSE

To describe a surgical technique to correct lateral canthal tendon disinsertion with a strabismus surgery-inspired locking capture of the tendon complex and osseous integration via drill holes.

METHODS

Retrospective interventional case series including all patients with lateral canthal tendon disinsertion who underwent locking Y lateral canthopexy with drill hole reinforcement by 1 surgeon (D.T.T.) between 2006 and 2011. Outcome measures included resolution of presenting ocular symptoms, improved blink dynamics and lid closure, correction of lagophthalmos and exposure keratopathy, and need for further surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 53 lateral canthopexies with osseous integration were performed in 42 patients who fulfilled clinical criteria for lateral canthal tendon disinsertion. The population was biased toward treatment failures; 81% of eyes (43/53) had a history of prior lateral canthal tightening, and of these 30.2% (16/53) had undergone 3 or more procedures. Postoperatively, all eyes demonstrated improved eyelid position and blink mechanics, and 83% (44/53) had subjective resolution of epiphora and ocular irritation. Lagophthalmos was fully corrected in 95% (19/20) of cases, and corneal staining resolved in 88% (14/16). With a mean follow-up period of 24 months, 3.7% of eyes (2/53) required additional lateral canthal tightening.

CONCLUSIONS

The locking Y lateral canthopexy is an effective and durable method for repositioning the lateral canthal tendon complex to improve blink dynamics, eyelid closure, and cosmesis. Even in a population heavily biased toward treatment failure, clinical results are excellent and the reoperation rate is low.

New insights into physical findings associated with postblepharoplasty lower eyelid retraction

BACKGROUND

Postblepharoplasty lower eyelid retraction (PBLER) has been linked to anterior lamellar shortage, unaddressed eyelid laxity, and middle lamellar scarring. The authors believe there are other, less-appreciated physical findings (orbicularis weakness, negative-vector eyelid, and inferior eyelid/orbit volume deficit) that also influence the development and potentially the management of this complex type of eyelid malposition.

OBJECTIVES

To better understand PBLER, potentially prevent its development, and improve treatment options, the authors determined the incidence of various physical findings present on initial examination of patients referred for PBLER revision.

METHODS

The medical charts of patients referred for PBLER revision over a 21-month period were reviewed. The presence of anterior lamellar shortage, lower eyelid laxity, and a middle lamellar (internal eyelid) scar was documented. Orbicularis weakness, negative-vector eyelid topography, and volume deficiency of the lower eyelid/inferior orbit also were noted. The incidence of each finding was calculated.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients (35 women, 11 men) were included. All patients had undergone primary transcutaneous surgery, which led to the eyelid retraction. Orbicularis weakness, anterior lamellar shortage, inferior eyelid/orbital volume deficit, negative-vector eyelid topography, and eyelid laxity were common. A middle lamellar scar of significance was found in only 17% of eyelids.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that the aforementioned underappreciated findings are common in patients with PBLER. Evaluating these factors when planning primary blepharoplasty may reduce the incidence of PBLER. Awareness of these findings when planning revisional procedures may improve surgical outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.