Techniques for surgical correction of adnexal disease

The adnexa frequently requires the general practitioner to intervene surgically to manage underlying disease or as an ancillary aid in the management of corneal disease. Both acquired and hereditary disorders are encountered. This article reviews general anatomy and physiology of the eyelids and discusses indications for the more commonly performed surgical procedures and their execution. Procedures include tarsorrhaphy, management of eyelid lacerations, eyelid tumor resection, correction of upper and/or lower lid entropion, ectropion, a medial and lateral canthoplasty, colobomatous syndrome in the cat, management of distichiasis, trichiasis and ectopic ciliae, and reduction of a prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid. Finally a surgical pack inventory useful for adnexal surgery is described.