[Effects of epicanthoplasty on trichiasis of the lower eyelids with epicanthus]

Objective: To investigate the effects of epicanthoplasty on the trichiasis caused by the entropion of lower eyelid with epicanthus. Methods: Epicanthoplasty was used to correct the trichiasis of lower eyelid with epicanthus from February 2010 to October 2015. Total of 72 patients were enrolled in this study, among whom 42 were male and 30 were female, and aged 8 to 58 years. Among those patients, 64 cases were found with bilateral trichiasis and 8 patients with unilateral trichiasis. And 3 cases received secondary operations for recurrence. All patients were followed-up at 1, 3 and 12 months after the operation for therapeutic evaluation. Results: A total of sixty-three patients completed the follow-up study with 9 withdrew. The trichiasis was corrected with the satisfied palpebral appearance. And the cure rate was 98.4%. Of the patients, 95.3%, 95.2% and 96.9% were satisfied with the effects of the operations at 1, 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Mild retraction of lower eyelid occurred in only 3 patients. Conclusion: Epicanthoplasty is a simple and effective method to correct the trichiasis with epicanthus.