Inferior retractor plication surgery for lower lid entropion with trichiasis in ocular cicatricial pemphigoid

To assess the outcome of inferior retractor plication surgery for lower lid entropion in patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP). This technique avoids surgery on the conjunctiva that can result in exacerbations of disease activity.

This prospective study assessed the outcomes of a standard 'Jones' type plication in 14 lids of 10 patients with OCP. Seven patients were taking systemic immunosuppression and no patients had conjunctival inflammation for the 4 months before surgery.

Life table analysis showed a 77% chance of anatomical success at 2 years and a 54% chance of completely preventing lash-globe touch. The surgery did not cause clinical activation of conjunctival inflammation or other complications. Anatomical failure was primary (n = 2) and due to late cicatrisation (n = 1). Three further cases had restoration of normal anatomy but the patients had persistently misdirected lashes that touched the globe.

This technique gives good anatomical success over long periods and is particularly safe when there is no conjunctival inflammation present before surgery.