Postoperative Eyelid Retraction Research Articles

Transconjunctival Approach with Lateral Skin Extension in Orbital Fracture Reconstruction

Introduction : Orbital fractures are commonly featured in various type of facial fracture, including zygomaticomaxillary, naso-orbito-ethmoid, frontal-sinus, Le Fort II, and III fracture patterns. Multidisciplinary surgery is required to restore physiological and aesthetic functions.
 Case Illustration : Three midfacial fracture operations with lower transconjunctival incision approach to 6, 18, and 25 years old patients were performed by maxillofacial team in Al Islam Hospital Bandung. The steps started with lateral canthotomy and continued with transconjunctival incision in a lateromedial direction. With dissection towards the infraorbital rim, lower eyelid is mobilized and can be retracted anteromedially. Two patients was given titanium orbital floor implants and plates, while the youngest patient received absorbable plates. This approach successfully gave wider access to orbital bone and less bleeding during surgery. No complication has been reported with good outcome.
 Discussion : Fracture of the orbital floor may be repaired through transcutaneous, transconjunctival or endoscopic approaches. Transconjunctival approach is the most effective surgical access to infraorbital rim and orbital floor or even to medial orbital wall. The ability to reach periosteum further allows access to great portion of the orbit. Lateral canthotomy allows periosteum to be elevated superiorly for repair of fracture frontozygomatic suture. This approach may decrease the risk of postoperative eyelid retraction than subciliary approach and is aesthetically superior to other approaches.
 Conclusion : Transconjunctival approach has provided wider intraoperative access during orbital fracture reconstruction with easier post operative care, also giving good functional and aesthetic outcome.

Changes in eyelid position after glaucoma filtering surgery.

While ptosis is a well-known consequence of glaucoma surgery, some isolated case reports point to the possibility of upper eyelid retraction occurring after glaucoma surgery. This study aims to analyze the occurrence of ptosis and eyelid retraction after glaucoma surgery and to evaluate factors contributing to these palpebral fissure changes. Cross-sectional study including 100 eyes of 100 patients that had undergone unilateral glaucoma surgery. Upper eyelid height in the operated eye was measured by digital photography and compared with the fellow, non-operated eye. The main outcome was to determine if ptosis or retraction occurred in the operated eye in comparison with the fellow eye. The secondary outcome was to determine if any variable was associated with ptosis or retraction. A clinically significant difference (either toward ptosis or retraction) was defined as a difference ≥1 mm between both eyes. Of 100 eyes included 81 (81%) showed no change in eyelid height (-0.133 mm ± 0.496), 11 (11%) showed ptosis (-1.348 mm ± 0.387) and 8 eyes (8%) showed retraction (1.705 ± 0.634). A statistically significant relation was found between ptosis and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (p = 0.003). A trend toward lower postoperative IOP and higher conjunctival blebs was found in eyes with postoperative eyelid retraction. Eyelid retraction was present in 8% of patients and ptosis in 11%. Patients with eyelid retraction showed around a 3 mmHg lower postoperative IOP than eyes without retraction. The presence of pseudoexfoliation may be a risk factor for this complication. A prospective study with a large number of patients would be required to confirm these results.

One-Stage Alternatives to the Hughes Procedure for Reconstruction of Large Lower Eyelid Defects: Surgical Techniques and Outcomes.

To present the results of 1-stage surgical advancement flaps for the repair of large full thickness lower eyelid defects. These avoid the disadvantages of the 2-stage Hughes procedure and provide favorable functional and aesthetic outcomes. A retrospective case series of 36 lower eyelid repairs performed on 31 patients by a single surgeon in Sydney, Australia is presented. The selection criterion was a horizontal defect size 10 mm or greater that could have "classically" been repaired with a 2-stage Hughes procedure. Three different 1-stage surgical repair techniques were utilized, all incorporating local advancement-type flaps: 1) a lateral-based full thickness advancement flap; 2) a vertical tarsal plate advancement flap combined with a full thickness skin graft; and 3) a vertical skin advancement flap combined with a mucosal graft. The postoperative outcomes evaluated included flap viability, lower eyelid margin position and contour, characteristics of the new eyelid margin and patient satisfaction. Thirty-six lower eyelid repairs were performed in 31 patients. There were no cases of flap ischemia, necrosis, or failure. There was 1 case (3%) of postoperative eyelid retraction, 1 case (3%) of eyelid entropion requiring surgical repair, 1 case (3%) of pyogenic granuloma, 2 cases (6%) of eyelid margin cyst, and 7 cases (19%) of eyelid distichiasis. In 34 cases (94%), the patient was satisfied with the aesthetic result. The techniques described provide successful alternatives to the Hughes procedure. They are 1-stage and do not render the patient temporarily monocular, or alter the upper eyelid anatomy or function. All maintained favorable long-term functional and aesthetic outcomes for the reconstructed lower eyelid.

Transconjunctival Lower Blepharoplasty

To assess the results and satisfaction after transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty, evaluate the effect of associated aesthetic procedures on the satisfaction, and compare surgeon versus subjects' perspective on the results. In a retrospective cross-sectional study, a chart review was performed on transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty procedures performed by 1 eye plastic surgeon from April 2003 to April 2009. Subjects with less than 6 months follow-up time or reoperation were excluded. Demographic data, associated surgical procedures, intra and postoperative complications, subjects and surgeon's perspectives on postoperative results, photographs (before and after the operation), and satisfaction score (Visual analogue scale score) at last follow-up time were recorded. There were 164 subjects (133 women, 81.1%) with mean age of 50.7 years (standard deviation=11.6, range: 23-80). Mean follow-up time was 22.8 months (standard deviation=11.5, range=6-60 months). Complications, observed by the surgeon and subjects, were undercorrected fat excision (4.9% vs. 3.7%), eyelid retraction (1.2% vs. 1.2%), and tear trough deformity (9.7% vs. 0.6%). Subjects reported less complication rate (5.4%) than surgeon (15.8%). Mean visual analogue scale score was 92.8 (standard deviation=0.36), which was significantly higher in subjects who had simultaneous upper blepharoplasty and lower in subjects with postoperative eyelid retraction. Transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty is associated with a high satisfaction. Subjects reported less complication rate than surgeon especially for tear trough deformity. Postoperative eyelid retraction significantly decreased and simultaneous upper blepharoplasty procedure significantly increased the satisfaction.

Efficacy and Complications of the Transconjunctival Entropion Repair for Lower Eyelid Involutional Entropion

To evaluate the efficacy of the transconjunctival entropion repair (TCER) for lower eyelid involutional entropion. Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. One hundred fifty-one eyelids in 120 patients who underwent TCER for involutional entropion over a 12-year period from February 1991 through January 2003. Surgical technique addressed all 3 anatomic factors underlying the entropion and was performed through a transconjunctival incision. Lateral tarsal strip procedure addressed horizontal eyelid laxity, lower eyelid retractor reinsertion addressed retractor disinsertion, and excision of a strip of the preseptal orbicularis oculi addressed preseptal orbicularis override. Entropion resolution, entropion recurrence, postoperative eyelid retraction, and complication rate. Transconjunctival entropion repair resulted in resolution of entropion, with a success rate of 96.7% (146 of 151 eyelids); entropion recurrence rate was 3.3% (5 of 151 eyelids). No patient had postoperative eyelid retraction or scleral show, and there were no overcorrections or secondary ectropions in any of the 151 eyelids. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 of 151 eyelids (4.0%) of 6 of 120 patients (5.0%) and included stitch abscess (1 eyelid, 0.7%), lateral tarsal strip dehiscence (2 eyelids, 1.3%), lateral canthal dystopia (2 eyelids, 1.3%), and conjunctivochalasis (1 eyelid, 0.7%). The transconjunctival lower eyelid entropion repair is effective and safe with low recurrence and complication rates. The TCER circumvents the risk of lower eyelid retraction and overcorrections that may occur with the transcutaneous approach.

External Levator Advancement vs Müller’s Muscle–Conjunctival Resection for Correction of Upper Eyelid Involutional Ptosis

To compare external levator advancement and Müller's muscle-conjunctival resection (conjunctivomullerectomy, or CJM) for correction of upper eyelid involutional ptosis. Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative interventional case series. Review of medical records of 159 patients (272 surgical procedures) who underwent external levator advancement or CJM was performed. Functional and cosmetic outcome, marginal reflex distance one (MRD1), and surgical complications. A total of 159 patients (51 men, 108 women, mean age 70 years) underwent 272 surgical procedures for upper eyelid ptosis; concurrent blepharoplasty was performed in 141 cases. MRD1 increased an average of 1.6 (+/-1.5) mm, from 0.8 mm (+/-1.2) preoperatively to 2.3 mm (+/-1.2) postoperatively (P < .001). Fifteen patients (5.5%) underwent reoperation for residual ptosis, nine (18%) in the external levator advancement group, two (3%) in the CJM group, three (8%) in the external plus blepharoplasty group, and one (1%) in the CJM plus blepharoplasty group (P < .001). Patients who underwent external levator advancement had significantly more severe ptosis preoperatively but attained similar eyelid position postoperatively as compared with CJM patients. Complications included overcorrection in four cases (1.4%), lagophthalmos of 1 mm in 10 (3.6%), and pyogenic granuloma in two (<1%). External levator advancement and CJM performed alone or with concurrent blepharoplasty are effective treatments for upper eyelid ptosis. Residual ptosis or postoperative eyelid retraction occurs in up to 20% of cases and can be addressed successfully with a second operation.

The transconjunctival approach for orbital bony surgery: in which cases should it be used?

The advantages and disadvantages of the transconjunctival approach were examined to determine its indication for orbital bony surgery. The transconjunctival approach was used in 22 patients. The average follow-up was 13 months. Two patients had an intraoperative lower eyelid laceration because of excessive traction. Lower eyelid retraction occurred in 5 patients after surgery, although only 1 of them required surgical repair. With a transconjunctival approach alone, the exposure of the orbital lateral wall is limited and incorporation of a lateral incision has been found to be necessary. Postoperative eyelid retraction seems to occur even in the transconjunctival approach. The transconjunctival approach is best indicated in cases with an orbital medial wall fracture because it provides much easier access than any cutaneous approach.

Treatment of prominent eyes with orbital rim onlay implants: four-year experience.

Different approaches have been proposed to address the aesthetic or reconstructive challenge associated with relatively prominent eyes. Operations that address the soft tissues alone are prone to failure if the underlying orbital bony relationships are not addressed. Orbital rim advancement can serve as a supplement to orbital decompression in this setting or as an alternative for patients who may not maximally benefit from decompression surgery. We report our 4-year experience with porous polyethylene orbital rim onlay grafts used to address relative proptosis in 24 patients. All patients had some degree of subjective and objective improvement. Proptosis decreased an average of 4.65 mm, with a range of 3 to 9 mm, based on single-observer Hertel exophthalmometry measurements (5.2 mm in those with concomitant decompression). Lagophthalmos was also improved in all patients with preoperative inadequacy in eyelid closure. Interpalpebral fissure size was reduced 1.3 mm on average, with a range of 0.5 to 6 mm (2 mm in those with concomitant decompression). Average follow-up was 41 months, with a range of 7 to 70 months. In 3 cases, we noted postoperative lower eyelid retraction with eyelid adhesion to the implant; possible risk factors for this complication included reoperative cases and simultaneous eyelid reconstruction with hard palate grafts. The porous polyethylene orbital rim onlay implant offers a relatively simple and effective surgical technique for the treatment of symptomatic relative proptosis. It can be used alone or in combination with other techniques including midface lift, lower eyelid retractor recession, and orbital decompression. To be effective, the implant should be placed so that it is flush with or overlapping the orbital rim; lateral displacement negates the effect of the implant in improving the eyelid/globe relationship. Postoperative eyelid retraction with tethering to the implant is a potential risk of the onlay implant, and although it may not be possible to avoid this in all cases, surgeries should be designed to minimize postoperative eyelid retraction.

Minimally Invasive Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty.

Background: Transconjunctival lower eyelid blepharoplasty can significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative eyelid retraction and ectropion encountered with the traditional transcutaneous approach. These complications rarely are encountered because no scarring is induced at the level of the orbital septum and post-orbicularis facia. Methods: A modification of the transconjunctival blepharoplasty procedure is described in which two small buttonhole incisions are used for fat removal. This procedure was performed in 148 eyelids. Results: All patients had a subjective improvement of eyelid puffiness after the procedure. Lower eyelid retraction or ectropion did not develop in any of the patients. Two patients were concerned with residual eyelid puffiness and redundant eyelid skin. Conclusion: The primary advantages of the minimally invasive transconjunctival blepharoplasty are the ease in performing the procedure and the reduction of disruption of the conjunctival surface.

Minimally Invasive Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Transconjunctival lower eyelid blepharoplasty can significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative eyelid retraction and ectropion encountered with the traditional transcutaneous approach. These complications rarely are encountered because no scarring is induced at the level of the orbital septum and post-orbicularis facia. A modification of the transconjunctival blepharoplasty procedure is described in which two small buttonhole incisions are used for fat removal. This procedure was performed in 148 eyelids. All patients had a subjective improvement of eyelid puffiness after the procedure. Lower eyelid retraction or ectropion did not develop in any of the patients. Two patients were concerned with residual eyelid puffiness and redundant eyelid skin. The primary advantages of the minimally invasive transconjunctival blepharoplasty are the ease in performing the procedure and the reduction of disruption of the conjunctival surface.

Transconjunctival approach vs subciliary skin-muscle flap approach for orbital fracture repair.

To compare the transcutaneous and transconjunctival approaches for repair of orbital rim and floor fractures. We conducted a retrospective study of the occurrence of eyelid retraction following the repair of 63 orbital fracture, 27 with the subciliary skin-muscle flap approach and 36 with the transconjunctival preseptal approach. Academic tertiary referral medical center. Fifty-nine patients underwent 63 orbital explorations. Of the 27 transcutaneous explorations, 24 were done early within the first 2 weeks of injury and three were performed for correction of late posttraumatic enophthalmos. Of the 36 transconjunctival explorations, 25 were done early and 11 were performed for correction of late posttraumatic enophthalmos. Clinically noted complications. We found a 12% rate of transient ectropion and a 28% rate of permanent scleral show with the subciliary skin-muscle flap approach compared with no transient ectropion and a 3% rate of permanent scleral show with the transconjunctival approach. We believe that the transconjunctival approach provides excellent exposure with less risk of postoperative eyelid retraction and ectropion.

Correction of Postoperative Eyelid Retraction with a Simplified Levator Palpebrae Superioris (LPS) Muscle Recession

A simplified levator palpebrae superioris (LPS) muscle recession was performed to correct eyelid retraction in 56 eyelids of 48 patients. Improvement of preoperative keratopathy and cosmetically acceptable results were achieved in 93% of the eyelids. Based on preoperative surgical intervention, eyelids were divided into four groups: levator resection, levator aponeurosis advancement, surgery associated with dysthyroid ophthalmopathy, and miscellaneous reconstructive eyelid procedures. For each group the mean preoperative and postoperative eyelid levels, the mean change in eyelid level following surgery, and the mean amount of surgery performed were analyzed statistically with the two-tailed student's t-test. Linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between the change in eyelid level and the amount of levator recession performed. No significant relationship was demonstrated between eyelid retraction and dysthyroid ophthalmopathy or reconstructive eyelid surgery. However, a significant relationship was demonstrated between the amount of recession and the eyelid level change for eyelids retracted following levator resection (P less than .01) and levator aponeurosis surgery (P less than .05). This may indicate that the change in eyelid level following a simplified LPS recession in these two groups is predictable. However, additional prospective studies are required to further assess the clinical applicability and use of this finding.