Granuloma after sling surgery: an attempt to answer the 'why' and 'what to do next'

To review cases of granuloma formation after sling surgery with a view to find out possible aetiological factors and propose a further plan of management MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 120 eyes of 108 patients who underwent frontalis sling surgery with silicone rod from Jan 2008 to Dec 2015 was conducted. All patients with severe ptosis and poor levator function who underwent frontalis sling surgery with silicone rod were included in the study irrespective of the cause of ptosis and method of passing the sling. A complete ophthalmic and ptosis examination was done. In all the cases, the prolene suture was tied over the sleeve to tighten it and it was buried along with the silicone rod in forehead pocket. All the cases with granuloma formation were first subjected to a microbiological examination including culture and sensitivity to antibiotics. All the patients were given a trial of antibiotics.

We encountered 10 cases of granuloma in 120 eyes of 108 patients operated during this period. The duration between time of surgery and presentation varied from 2 weeks to 4 months. The microbiological examination revealed positive culture in 5 cases. None of the cases responded to the course of antibiotics given for 10 days. The histopathological examination done in 5 cases (2 of them culture positive and 3 of them culture negative) revealed granulomatous inflammation of non-specific type. The sling was explanted in all cases which resulted in prompt resolution of granuloma in 7-10 days.

The granuloma is primarily due to exposure of the sling itself or the sleeve enveloping the sling or the suture tied around the sleeve thereby. They do not respond to antibiotics but respond very well to explantation. These patients can be taken up for re-sling surgery after a waiting period of 3 months.