Cerclage technique for dynamic eyelid closure in facial paralysis

Dynamic eyelid reconstruction in facial nerve palsy

The consequences of facial nerve palsy and the secondary inability of eyelid closure and blink may lead to devastating complications for the patient, including blindness. Reconstruction techniques to improve eyelid position and function can be broadly classified into 'static' and 'dynamic' techniques. Generally, ophthalmologists have been familiar with static procedures such as upper eyelid loading, tarsorrhaphy, canthoplasty, and lower eyelid suspension. Recently, dynamic techniques are being increasingly described for patients who require definitive strategies to improve eyelid function, once the initial critical goals of corneal protection and vision preservation have been achieved. The choice of technique(s) is dependent upon the status of the main protractor of the eyelid region, as well as the age of the patient, the patient's morbidities and expectations, and surgeon preference. This review shall first describe the clinical and surgical anatomy relevant to the ophthalmic consequences of facial paralysis and discuss methods of defining function and outcomes. A comprehensive review of dynamic eyelid reconstruction is then presented with a discussion of the literature. These various techniques may not be familiar to all clinicians. It is important that ophthalmic surgeons are aware of all options available for their patients. Furthermore, eye care providers must have an understanding of when referral may be appropriate to provide timely intervention and optimal chances of recovery.

Management of Long-Standing Flaccid Facial Palsy: Periocular Considerations

Ineffective eyelid closure can pose a serious risk of injury to the ocular surface and eye. In cases of eyelid paresis, systematic examination of the eye and ocular adnexa will direct appropriate interventions. Specifically, 4 distinct periorbital regions should be independently assessed: eyebrow, upper eyelid, ocular surface, and lower eyelid. Corneal exposure can lead to dehydration, thinning, scarring, infection, perforation, and blindness. Long-term sequelae following facial nerve palsy may also include epiphora, gustatory lacrimation, and synkinesis.

Spontaneous Blinking Kinetics on Paralytic Lagophthalmos After Lid Load with Gold Weight or Autogenous Temporalis Fascia Sling

PURPOSE

To assess the upper eyelid kinematics during spontaneous blinking in unilateral paralytic lagophthalmos before and after upper eyelid load with gold weight (GW) or autogenous temporalis fascia (TF) sling.

DESIGN

Comparative case series.

SUBJECTS

Patients with long-standing unresolved unilateral facial palsy who underwent surgical treatment with GW (n = 8) or upper lid cerclage with TF (n = 10). The contralateral eyelid served as the control for each patient (control group).

METHODS

Preoperative and postoperative measurements of spontaneous blink kinematics with magnetic search coil and clinical assessment of lid margin position, lagophthalmos and ocular surface exposure, and determine amplitude, maximum velocity and main sequence of spontaneous blinks; relative amplitude of blinks to the pupil center; ocular surface exposure scores; magnitude of lagophthalmos and mid-pupil lid distances.

RESULTS

The mean (±SE) down-phase amplitude ratio between paralyzed and contralateral eyelids (blink gain) was 10.0% preoperatively for both groups and significantly increased to 29 ± 6% for the GW group (p < 0.05) and 23 ± 4% for the TF group (p < 0.05). At 6 months the gain was significant for the GW group only (32 ± 7%, p < 0.05). There was no effect on the maximum velocity of the blinks or the main sequence of paretic and contralateral blinks with either surgery. Both procedures lowered the lid margin increasing the number of blinks that reached the pupil center. At 6 months this effect was prominent only for the GW group. Exposure keratopathy scores and lagophthalmos decreased postoperatively especially in the GW group.

CONCLUSIONS

The beneficial effect of lid load surgeries result from a combination of a small increase on the spontaneous blink amplitude and a static effect due to the reduction of the distance between the lid margin and pupil center.