Temporalis transfer for correction of lagophthalmos.

Abstract

The inability to close the eyelid in orbicularis oculi palsy decreases protection of the eye. In order to prevent corneal and conjunctival irritation, operative treatment is often necessary. Different methods have been described such as gold weight, palpebral spring, lid magnets, and the implantation of silastic rods. Lateral tarsorrhaphy and medial and lateral canthoplasty are other methods used for eye protection in the management of lagophthalmos. Gillies [6] described a dynamic method for correction of lagophthalmos without foreign material. Transposition of the temporalis muscle is superior to implantation of foreign material. We used the Gillies’ method, which combines static support of the eyelid with dynamic function, for correction of lagophthalmos. All patients were examined postoperatively in order to prove the efficiency of this method.