Silicone Scaffold Support Using a Bilayer Dermal Regeneration Matrix Template for Correction of Primary or Recurrent...

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a bilayer dermal regenerative matrix for primary or complex/recurrent eyelid retraction.

Retrospective review of patients undergoing eyelid retraction repair using the bilayer dermal regenerative matrix from 2005 to 2019. Nineteen eyelid surgeries from 15 patients were identified. Collected data included patient demographics, symptoms, preoperative/postoperative lower eyelid position, inferior scleral show, lagophthalmos, etiology of retraction, history of prior retraction surgeries, major/minor complications, and follow-up duration (minimum 6 months). Postoperative measurements were taken at a minimum of 1 week, 3-6 weeks, 2-4 months, and 6 months.

Postoperatively, 90% of cases had good improvement of lower eyelid retraction (defined as 1 mm or less below the inferior limbus). Postoperative elevation of the lower eyelid ranged 1-3.5 mm compared with preoperative measurements. When used in the upper eyelid for conjunctival scarring, the implant improved the superior fornix depth. Complications were minimal and included transient conjunctival injection, eyelid edema, and foreign body sensation. No patients requested early removal of the silicone layer due to ocular pain.

The bilayer dermal regeneration matrix template may be considered a reasonable alternative to other spacers to reduce the vertical palpebral fissure and eyelid malposition in primary, complex, or recurrent cases. It also worked well for first-line correction of thyroid retraction, which tend to be more challenging due to globe proptosis. Suboptimal results may have occurred due to active cicatrizing conjunctival disease, or residual negative vector of the cheek and orbit. High cost may be a consideration, and the bilayer dermal regeneration matrix template was not studied directly against hard palate and other spacer materials.