Blepharoplasty techniques in the management of orbito-temporal neurofibromatosis

We aimed to present blepharoplasty techniques we used for severe orbito-temporal neurofibromatosis (NF). A retrospective noncomparative single-center case study was undertaken on patients with orbito-temporal NF. Twenty-two patients with orbito-temporal NF treated at the Department of Ophthalmology of Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital between 2007 and 2011 participated in the study. They underwent a standard ophthalmologic assessment for orbito-temporal NF involving both the orbito-temporal soft tissue and bony orbits. The orbits were examined with three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) and all 22 patients underwent tumor debulking, blepharoplasty, and orbital reconstruction. We modified the conventional procedures. Our reconstructive techniques included eyelid reduction; lateral canthal reattachment; for patients with collapse of the lateral orbital margin, reconstruction of the orbital margin to be performed before reattaching the lateral canthus to the implanted titanium mesh; anterior levator resection; and frontalis suspension according to preoperative levator muscle function. Visual acuity, tumor recurrence, and postoperative palpebral fissure and orbital appearance were evaluated to assess outcomes. Acceptable cosmetic results were obtained in 22 patients after debulking of the orbito-temporal NF and surgical reconstruction. There was no loss of vision or visual impairment postoperatively. All patients did not display recrudescence after a follow-up period of >1 year. Three patients with residual ptosis were successfully treated with a second ptosis repair. We believe that the blepharoplasty techniques described in the treatment of orbito-palpebral NF may provide both functional and esthetic benefits.