A Novel Technique of Harvesting Temporalis Fascia Autografts for Correction of Recurrent Blepharoptosis

Abstract

Patients with poor levator function require ptosis correction by a sling procedure. A variety of synthetic materials are available for this suspension, but there is a recognized complication rate. Autografts are less prone to infection and extrusion than alloplastic materials. Harvesting temporalis fascia has a number of advantages over the use of fascia lata and outcomes have been effective. Although we recommend the use of autogenous material for slings whenever possible, if alloplastic materials are used and subsequently fail, then temporalis fascia is our preferred solution. We describe a novel technique of harvesting the temporalis fascia and present 4 patients (6 eyelids) with failed silicone slings who were managed with temporalis fascia autograft. Follow-up ranged from 5 to 32 months. The average improvement in palpebral aperture was 3.6 mm (78%).