Management of morderate-to-severe Marcus-Gunn syndrome by anastomosis of levator and frontal muscles

Surgical Outcomes of Unilateral Marcus Gunn Jaw Winking Ptosis Correction: A Novel Whitnall's Ligament Approach

PURPOSE

To evaluate the surgical, functional, and cosmetic outcome in moderate to severe ptosis with Marcus Gunn jaw winking phenomenon and recurrence of disease after ptosis correction. This procedure has been emphasized on a child.

METHODS

This was a prospective, non-comparative, interventional study conducted over 4 years on 30 people. The ages range from 7 to 40 years. The eyelid was approached from behind to identify the Whitnall's ligament. Levator palpebrae superioris was first disinserted then dissected up to the superior border of the tarsal plate followed by 20 to 25 mm by resection which causes disabling of the levator palpebrae superioris action. Subsequently, "tarso frontalis sling with silicon rod" for ptosis correction. Compared with the preoperative and postoperative photograph.

RESULTS

Margin reflex distance 1 values are in the affected eye preoperative 1.8 ± 0.87 mm to postoperative 3.96 ± 0.41 mm. Preoperative palpebral fissure height are means 5.05 ± 0.62 mm to postoperative palpebral fissure height means 9.3 ± 0.71 mm. Ptosis significantly improved which is statistically significant (p < 0.05). Lid excursion or Flickering's in affected eyes preoperative means 6.1 ± 3.47 mm to postoperative after 1 year means are 0.43 ± 0.81 mm. Follow-up period is 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

Unilateral posterior approach (Whitnall's ligament approach) is found better in surgical, functional, and cosmetic outcomes in the correction of Marcus Gunn jaw winking syndrome, especially in children. The risk of bilateral extensive surgery is avoided. After the surgery, the primary gaze face photo identity was well-accepted in official government documents. This study is stressed on bilateral lid height similarity in primary gaze unlike the traditional method of downgaze similarities. The patients were highly satisfied both physically and mentally.

Unilateral Levator Aponeurosis Excision for Marcus Gunn Syndrome and Risk Factors of Residual Jaw Winking

Purpose

To investigate the association of ptosis, levator, and jaw winking in Marcus Gunn jaw-winking synkinesis (MGJWS), and the risk factor of preservation and outcomes of the unilateral levator excision and frontalis suspension.

Methods

Clinical features of MGJWS case series from 2011 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Association between jaw winking and ptosis/levator function was statistically analyzed. The patients underwent unilateral levator excision and frontalis suspension using silicone rod or autogenous fascia lata. Clinical outcomes were evaluated in operated patients and the independent risk factors of residual jaw winking were investigated after a long follow-up.

Results

There were 42 MGJWS patients in 2011 to 2018, accounting for 2.87% of all congenital blepharoptosis. 80% of mild jaw winking was accompanied with mild ptosis and fair levator function, and moderate-to-severe jaw winking was often accompanied with moderate-to-severe ptosis and poor levator function (P < 0.05). Ptosis showed a strong association with excursion of jaw winking (R = 0.785, P < 0.01). Jaw winking was resolved in all 34 operated patients with good correction of ptosis. Severity of jaw winking is an independent risk factor for the residual synkinesis after surgery. Severe preoperative jaw winking had an 18.05 times increased risk of postoperative residual synkinesis compared with moderate jaw winking (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In MGJWS eyelid excursion of jaw winking has a direct correlation with ptosis and dysfunction of levator muscle. Unilateral levator aponeurosis excision and frontalis suspension is an efficient approach for MGJWS. Severe jaw winking is a risk factor of residual eyelid synkinesis after surgery.