Surgical strategy for congenital blepharophimosis syndrome

Abstract

So far, most of the surgical techniques for congenital blepharophimosis syndrome are two-stage procedures. In this study, we investigated a modified one-stage procedure to reduce the suffering of patients. From 2003 to 2005, we adopted an one-stage technique combining blepharoptosis correction with medial canthoplasty in 16 patients with congenital blepharophimosis syndrome (10 male, 6 female; aged from 6 to 21). All the patients had bilateral severe blepharoptosis, epicanthus inversus, and flat dorsum nasi. The movement of the upper lid was 0 to 3 mm, vertical length of the eye fissure 2 to 4 mm, horizontal length 13 to 22 mm, and the distance between the eyes was 35 to 39 mm. The patients were followed up for one half to 2 years after the operation. In all the patients, after the operation, the horizontal length of the eyelid > 25 mm, the vertical length > 6 mm. and the distance between the eyes < 35 mm. The appearance of their double eyelids was satisfying. The modified one-stage technique combining blepharoptosis correction with medial canthoplasty can achieve favorable outcomes for patients with congenital blepharophimosis syndrome.