Orbicularis oculi muscle extirpation in a combined procedure for involutional entropion

Many factors are important in the pathophysiology of involutional entropion, including defects of the lower eyelid retractors, canthal tendon laxity, and acquired enophthalmos. The role of the overriding preseptal orbicularis oculi muscle is often ignored in modern techniques of entropion repair. The author describes a technique of extirpation of the preseptal orbicularis oculi muscle combined with repair of the lower eyelid retractors and a lateral tarsal strip procedure for the repair of primary and recurrent involutional entropion. Lateral canthal tendon laxity is recognized in most patients in this age group and must be corrected to avoid postoperative overcorrection and ectropion. Removal of the preseptal muscle had no clinical effect on the lacrimal pump and did not cause any significant cicatricial eyelid abnormalities. This combined procedure has been used in 50 eyelids of 40 patients with excellent functional and cosmetic results. Orbicularis extirpation is not advocated in combination with a marginal rotation procedure.