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Silicon tube frontalis suspension in simple congenital blepharoptosis
Zulfiquar Ali1, Hasan Sajid Kazmi, Muhammad Khalid bin Saleem
1Department of Ophthalmology, Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, Pakistan. drzulfiquarali@gmail.com
Insights
Frontalis suspension using silicon tubes effectively treats congenital ptosis with poor levator function, achieving a 91.4% success rate. This method offers good efficacy and safety for pediatric eyelid correction.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Ptosis, or abnormally low upper eyelid position, requires early childhood correction.
- Congenital ptosis with poor levator function presents a surgical challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and complication rate of frontalis suspension using silicon tubes for simple congenital blepharoptosis with poor levator function.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involved 33 children undergoing frontalis suspension with silicon tubes.
- Follow-up averaged 9 months, with functional success defined by lid height, symmetry, and cosmesis.
Main Results:
- A functional success rate of 91.4% (32/35 eyes) was achieved.
- Complications included knot slippage (2.8%), tract infection, and abnormal lid tenting.
Conclusions:
- Frontalis suspension with silicon tubes is effective and safe for simple congenital ptosis with poor levator function.
- Results are comparable to fascia lata and superior to other non-autogenous materials.
Background:
Ptosis is an abnormally low position of the upper eyelid. Congenital ptosis should be corrected in early years of childhood. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and complications of frontalis suspension using silicon tube for simple congenital blepharoptosis with poor levator function.
Methods:
A prospective study was performed on 33 children who underwent frontalis suspension using silicon tube from Jan 2008 to Jun 2011 with a minimum of 6 month follow-up. Functional success was defined when 3 criteria were met: (a) satisfactory lid height defined as margin-to-reflex distance > or = 3.5 mm with minimal frontalis action (brow up); (b) satisfactory lid symmetry (< or = 2 mm asymmetry in margin-to-reflex distance) between two lids; and (c) satisfactory cosmesis, i.e., normal lid contours.
Results:
The mean follow-up duration was 9 months (range 6.5-27 months). The functional success rate was 91.4% (32/35 eyes). Three eyes had complications. In one eye (2.8%), recurrence of ptosis due to slippage of knot was seen, one eye developed infection of tract, and one with bilateral ptosis developed abnormal tenting of one of the lid.
Conclusion:
In simple congenital ptosis with poor levator function, frontalis suspension using silicon tube has good efficacy and an excellent safety profile. The results of frontalis suspension using silicon tube are comparable to fascia lata and superior to other non-autogenous materials.
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