Modified Anterior Lamellar Recession for All Grades of Upper Eyelid Trachomatous Cicatricial Entropion

Purpose

This study aims to assess the combination of anterior lamellar recession (ALR) with blepharoplasty, suprasternal fixation, and internal eyelash bulb extirpation of aberrant lashes posteriorly located in patients with any grade of upper eyelid trachomatous cicatricial entropion.

Patients and Methods

We reviewed the clinical data of eighty-six patients (143 eyelids) including age, gender, systemic medical illnesses, and comprehensive ophthalmological assessment. Eyelid evaluation was recorded, including laterality, previous surgical technique used, possible trichiasis etiology, abnormality of the lid margin, tarsal plate consistency (shrinkage or loosening), skin fold overhanging, laxity of the pretarsal skin, margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1), lagophthalmos, and lid retraction. The success rate was assessed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperative.

Results

The success rate was 97.2% in the third month, which decreased significantly to 92.3% in the 6th month and 90.2% in the 9th month (P = 0.01, and 0.001 respectively). In the 9th month, we had fourteen failed cases. All of them were submitted for a second intervention. Three underwent electrolysis, four cases underwent re-internal bulb extirpation, four cases underwent the same procedure, and three cases underwent epilation. The success of the failed cases after the second intervention was significantly associated with the type of reintervention (P = 0.03), in which all of them succeed except two cases that underwent epilation. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the mean recurrence time in our study was 6.8 months (95% CI = 5.8-7.7 months).

Conclusion

This study showed the combination of ALR with blepharoplasty, suprasternal fixation, and cauterization or internal bulb extirpation of posteriorly located lashes procedure resulted in a high success rate in patients with any form of UCE with no increase in incidence or degree of lagophthalmos associated with UCE.

Case Report: Simultaneous penetrating keratoplasty with autologous simple limbal epithelial transplantation as an alternative to keratoprosthesis

Introduction and importance: This case report highlights the multidisciplinary approach required to achieve successful anatomical and functional outcomes, in an eye with total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) associated with underlying corneal scarring and thinning. Presentation of case: A 59-year-old gentleman had poor visual recovery in the right eye (RE) following accidental carbide blast, 1-year before presenting to us. The visual acuity was counting fingers and clinical examination revealed cicatricial entropion involving the upper eyelid, total LSCD, corneal scarring with a central descemetocele and cataract in the RE. Prior to ocular surface reconstruction, entropion correction was performed. Three months later, penetrating keratoplasty combined with cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation (penetrating keratoplasty (PK) triple), with autologous simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) was performed. The visual acuity was 20/100, 18 months after the surgery, with a clear well-epithelized corneal graft and stable ocular surface. Discussion: LSCD is caused by a decrease in the population and /or function of the limbal epithelial stem cells. Limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) is warranted in eyes with total LSCD. In eyes with coexisting corneal scarring, LSCT alone may be inadequate to restore the vision. These eyes require simultaneous or sequential lamellar or full-thickness corneal transplantation for visual rehabilitation. Though, the existing literature favors a sequential approach, where LSCT is performed first followed by corneal transplantation, under certain circumstances such as a thin underlying cornea like in our case, corneal transplantation may have to be combined with LSCT to achieve optimal outcomes. Conclusion: Combining autologous SLET with PK can be performed for visual rehabilitation in eyes with unilateral total LSCD and underlying corneal thinning. Corneal and limbal graft survival is prolonged if existing adnexal comorbidities are addressed before any surgical intervention is planned and adequate time interval is allowed for the surface inflammation to subside.

Case Report: Simultaneous penetrating keratoplasty with autologous simple limbal epithelial transplantation as an alternative to keratoprosthesis

Introduction and importance: This case report highlights the multidisciplinary approach required to achieve successful anatomical and functional outcomes, in an eye with total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) associated with underlying corneal scarring and thinning. Presentation of case: A 59-year-old gentleman had poor visual recovery in the right eye (RE) following accidental carbide blast, 1-year before presenting to us. The visual acuity was counting fingers and clinical examination revealed cicatricial entropion involving the upper eyelid, total LSCD, corneal scarring with a central descemetocele and cataract in the RE. Prior to ocular surface reconstruction, entropion correction was performed. Three months later, penetrating keratoplasty combined with cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation (penetrating keratoplasty (PK) triple), with autologous simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) was performed. The visual acuity was 20/100, 18 months after the surgery, with a clear well-epithelized corneal graft and stable ocular surface. Discussion: LSCD is caused by a decrease in the population and /or function of the limbal epithelial stem cells. Limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) is warranted in eyes with total LSCD. In eyes with coexisting corneal scarring, LSCT alone may be inadequate to restore the vision. These eyes require simultaneous or sequential lamellar or full-thickness corneal transplantation for visual rehabilitation. Though, the existing literature favors a sequential approach, where LSCT is performed first followed by corneal transplantation, under certain circumstances such as a thin underlying cornea like in our case, corneal transplantation may have to be combined with LSCT to achieve optimal outcomes. Conclusion: Combining autologous SLET with PK can be performed for visual rehabilitation in eyes with unilateral total LSCD and underlying corneal thinning. Corneal and limbal graft survival is prolonged if existing adnexal comorbidities are addressed before any surgical intervention is planned and adequate time interval is allowed for the surface inflammation to subside.

Labial mucosa grafting for lid margin, anterior lamellar, and posterior lamellar correction in recurrent cicatricial entropion

PURPOSE

To report a novel modified technique for severe recurrent cicatricial entropion correction based on anterior lamellar recession (ALR) and grafting.

METHODS

Six eyelids of five patients (9-48 years; three females) with severe cicatricial entropion (three upper and three lower eyelids) had surgical correction using ALR and labial mucosal grafting for spacing the ciliary margin away from the lid margin and reconstruction of the lid margin and posterior lamella. The modified technique included using mucous membrane as a single unit for anterior lamella, lid margin, and posterior lamella reconstruction employing a different suturing technique.

RESULTS

The indications for surgery included Stevens-Johnson syndrome (3), chemical injury (2), and post-surgical scarring in congenital distichiasis with lymphedema (1). Entropion resolved in all patients with restoration of eyelid margin and reduction in ocular discomfort. Trichiasis was present in all six eyelids (100%) preoperatively and resolved completely in all but one case (83% success rate) with three residual focal trichiatic lashes in the temporal area, which was successfully managed with radiofrequency ablation. There were no recurrences of trichiatic or distichiatic lashes at a median follow-up duration of 16 months (range, 12-18 months).

CONCLUSION

Successful resolution of the recurrent cicatricial entropion can be achieved with the use of labial mucosa as one solution for spacing the anterior lamella and reconstruction of the lid margin and posterior lamella with minimal recurrence rate.

Lower eyelid lengthening surgery targeting the posterior layer of the lower eyelid retractors via a transcutaneous approach

The lower eyelid retractors consist of double layers, the posterior layer of which is the main tractional component. Therefore, shortening of the posterior layer of the lower eyelid retractors causes lower eyelid retraction or cicatricial entropion. Based on this concept, we report a modified lower eyelid lengthening surgery involving complete recession of the posterior layer of the lower eyelid retractors by way of a transcutaneous approach that leaves the palpebral conjunctiva intact and inserts ear cartilage as a rigid spacer between the lower edge of the tarsal plate and the recessed anterior layer of the lower eyelid retractors. This procedure completely extirpated the preoperative maladjusted states of lower eyelid retraction and cicatricial entropion. Our procedure also prevented postoperative discomfort of the ocular surface due to the intact palpebral conjunctiva. As well, lower eyelid mobility and contour were good and within their respective permissible ranges. The lower eyelid lengthening surgery focusing on the posterior layer of the lower eyelid retractors using auricular cartilage via a transcutaneous approach is a useful procedure for lower eyelid retraction or cicatricial entropion.