Bilamellar Tarsal Rotation Research Articles

Recurrence of trichiasis: A long-term follow-up study in the Sultanate of Oman

BACKGROUND. The prevalence of long-term trichiasis recurrence following tarsal rotation and electro-epilation procedures has not been determined. A non-concurrent prospective study of surgical cases of trichiasis was therefore undertaken in Oman. METHODS. A sample of 603 surgical cases of trichiasis (approximately half tarsal rotation and half electro-epilation) was followed for an average of 3.1 years to determine recurrence. Recurrence was defined as either mild (<5 lashes touching the globe) or severe (5 or more lashes touching the globe). RESULTS. Overall, 56% (95% confidence interval of 50.6%–61.0%) of all surgical cases recurred; ranging from 61.8% of tarsal rotation patients to 50.6% of electro-epilation patients. Severe recurrence was detected among 27% of tarsal rotation patients and 10% of electro-epilation patients. Recurrence was associated with female sex, residence in a high-risk region, and time since surgery. DISCUSION. The risk of recurrence after electro-epilation and bilamellar tarsal rotation surgery is high; strategies that account for recurrence need to be introduced.

A Trial of Surgery for Trichiasis of the Upper Lid from Trachoma

Three surgeons operated on upper eye lids of northern Omani villagers for trichiasis due to trachoma using a standardised protocol. The lids were graded as minor trichiasis, five or fewer lashes; major trichiasis, six or more lashes; and lid closure defect. Operative success was defined as no lash/eyeball contact and complete gentle lid closure. One hundred and sixty five lids with major trichiasis were allocated by random number tables to one of five operations: bilamellar tarsal rotation (Ballen), tarsal advance and rotation (modified Trabut), eversion splinting (grey line), tarsal advance (lid split), and tarsal grooving (Streatfield-Snellen) operations. Bilamellar tarsal rotation was significantly more successful than eversion splinting (chi 2 = 7.0, p less than 0.01); tarsal advance (chi 2 = 12.4, p less than 0.001), and tarsal grooving (chi 2 = 23.7, p less than 0.001), but not significantly more successful than tarsal advance and rotation (chi 2 = 2.9, p greater than 0.05). Two of 32 (6%) lids with lid closure defect were successfully treated with tarsal advance; trichiasis was relieved in nine and lid closure defect in 10. It is suggested that bilamellar tarsal rotation and tarsal advance and rotation are effective operations for major trichiasis, but tarsal advance is ineffective where trichiasis and lid closure defect coexist.

A trial of surgery for trichiasis of the upper lid from trachoma.

Three surgeons operated on upper eye lids of northern Omani villagers for trichiasis due to trachoma using a standardised protocol. The lids were graded as minor trichiasis, five or fewer lashes; major trichiasis, six or more lashes; and lid closure defect. Operative success was defined as no lash/eyeball contact and complete gentle lid closure. One hundred and sixty five lids with major trichiasis were allocated by random number tables to one of five operations: bilamellar tarsal rotation (Ballen), tarsal advance and rotation (modified Trabut), eversion splinting (grey line), tarsal advance (lid split), and tarsal grooving (Streatfield-Snellen) operations. Bilamellar tarsal rotation was significantly more successful than eversion splinting (chi 2 = 7.0, p less than 0.01); tarsal advance (chi 2 = 12.4, p less than 0.001), and tarsal grooving (chi 2 = 23.7, p less than 0.001), but not significantly more successful than tarsal advance and rotation (chi 2 = 2.9, p greater than 0.05). Two of 32 (6%) lids with lid closure defect were successfully treated with tarsal advance; trichiasis was relieved in nine and lid closure defect in 10. It is suggested that bilamellar tarsal rotation and tarsal advance and rotation are effective operations for major trichiasis, but tarsal advance is ineffective where trichiasis and lid closure defect coexist.