Surgical management of lagophthalmos in patients with facial palsy.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

A prospective before-and-after trial was designed to evaluate the role of upper-lid gold weight implantation and lower lid lateral canthoplasty in the management of patients with paralytic lagophthalmos.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

The study included 40 patients (age range 19 to 72, mean age 46.8), and gold weights varying from 0.6 to 1.6 g were implanted in all 40 patients. Lateral canthoplasty was performed in 14 of the patients who suffered from variable degrees of lower lid laxity. Mean follow-up period was 15.7 months (range 9 to 38).

RESULTS:

Complete correction of lagophthalmos and/or ectropion with resolution of preoperative symptoms was achieved in 37 of 40 patients (92.5%), and spontaneous extrusion of the gold weight occurred in only one patient (2.5%).

CONCLUSION:

Excellent results were achieved in the management of paralytic lagophthalmos with upper-lid gold weight insertion, and simultaneous lateral canthoplasty proved to be very helpful in patients with significant hypotonia of lower lid.

• Authors: H M Foda
• Journal: American journal of otolaryngology (Am J Otolaryngol) 1999 Nov-Dec Vol. 20 Issue 6 Pg. 391-5 ISSN: 0196-0709 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10609484 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Evaluation Studies as Topic
• Eyelid Diseases (complications, surgery)
• Facial Paralysis (complications)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases (complications, surgery)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Paralysis (surgery)
• Postoperative Care
• Preoperative Care
• Prospective Studies
• Prosthesis Implantation
• Treatment Outcome