Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
Application of a New Mesh Fixation Method in Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair
Published on: December 23, 2022
Long-term follow-up of ptosis correction using Mersilene mesh
11Birmingham Children's Hospital Steelhouse Lane Birmingham B4 6NH, UK.
Insights
Mersilene mesh brow suspension is a safe and effective treatment for severe ptosis in children, offering excellent long-term stability and high patient satisfaction with minimal complications.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Oculoplastics
Background:
- Severe ptosis with minimal levator function often requires brow suspension.
- Fascia lata harvesting in children has drawbacks; synthetic materials are an alternative.
- Mersilene mesh has been used for many years as a brow suspension material.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of Mersilene mesh for brow suspension in pediatric patients.
- To assess functional and cosmetic outcomes, including long-term stability and complication rates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of case notes from 1990-1999.
- Inclusion of patients undergoing brow suspension surgery using Mersilene mesh.
- Data analysis focused on functional and cosmetic success, long-term stability, and parental satisfaction.
Main Results:
- Long-term ptosis correction stability was achieved in 94.4% of procedures (92.7% of patients).
- Parental satisfaction was high, reported in 90.1% of procedures (85.4% of patients).
- Only 5.4% of lids (7.4% of patients) required revision surgery.
Conclusions:
- Mersilene mesh is a safe and convenient material for pediatric brow suspension.
- It provides good long-term results with a low complication rate.
- This synthetic material is a viable option for correcting severe ptosis in children.
Abstract:
The preferred operation for correction of severe ptosis with minimal levator function is a brow suspension procedure. Owing to the poorly developed fascia lata in young children, and concerns about the side effects of harvesting fascia, we have, for many years, used synthetic Mersilene mesh as our suspending material. We present our experience with this material over the last 10 years. We have undertaken a retrospective analysis of the case notes of all patients undergoing brow suspension surgery, using Mersilene mesh, from 1990 to 1999. Functional and cosmetic success was recorded with respect to long-term stability. Data from 41 patients (71 lids, 30 bilateral and 11 unilateral procedures) were analysed. The minimum follow-up period was 12 months with a mean of 38.4 months (SD 23.3). We found a long-term stability of ptosis correction in 67/71 (94.4%) procedures (38/41 (92.7%) of patients). Parental satisfaction was achieved in 90.1% (64/71) of procedures or in 85.4% patients (35/41). Four lids (5.4%) of three patients (7.4%) required further surgery. Mersilene mesh is a safe and convenient suspensory material for brow suspension in young children, and provides good long-term results with a low complication rate.
