[Surgical treatment of paralytic lagophthalmos]

Impairment of the peripheral or central part of the facial nerve causes an ipsilateral peripheral facial nerve paresis. It is quite a common syndrome and affects 20-35 persons per 100,000 per year in Western Europe and the United States. A possible complication of facial palsy is paralytic lagophthalmos with aesthetic and functional impairment for the patient. Beside primary nerve reconstructive procedures plastic-reconstructive procedures play a major role in correcting paralytic lagophthalmos. The eyebrow, upper and lower lids, medial and lateral lid angle as well as the lacrimal system need to be seen as functional units and can be corrected with local surgical procedures. Restoration of eye closure is the most important goal in treating the affected eye. Due to the significant aesthetic limitations and resultant psychological stress for the patient cosmetic aspects must be included in the surgical concept.