Lateral Tarsoconjunctival Flap Suspension Treatment of Post Blepharoplasty Lower Eyelid Retraction.

PURPOSE: To describe and evaluate the use of a lateral tarsoconjunctival suspension flap (TCSF) for the management of post blepharoplasty lower eyelid retraction. METHODS: Two-center, retrospective chart review of patients who received a lateral TCSF between 2010 and 2018 for correction of post blepharoplasty lower eyelid retraction. The postoperative follow-up was a minimum of 3 months. Pre- and postoperative lower eyelid position (margin reflex distance 2 on standard photographs), degree of ocular surface disease, symptoms, complications, and need for further intervention were recorded. Pre- and postoperative photographs were scored using an objective grading system for cosmetic surgical results (MDACS). RESULTS: Forty-eight eyelids from 30 patients met inclusion criteria for this study. Twenty (67%) of the patients were female. Age ranged from 55 to 89 (mean, 73.2). After the TCSF, ocular surface exposure improved in all cases. Lower eyelid retraction (average margin reflex distance 2 pre- vs. postintervention) improved in 98% of cases. Objective scoring of appearance improved; the mean MDACS score was 8 pre- and 3 post-TCSFs (p < 0.0001). One patient required midface lift and lateral canthoplasty 7 months later for undercorrected eyelid retraction. Another case required partial resection due to visibility of the flap in the interpalpebral zone. Postoperative pyogenic granulomas were noted in 8% (4/48) of eyelids. CONCLUSIONS: The lateral TCSF was safe and effective in improving both functional and esthetic parameters in this series of post blepharoplasty eyelid retraction patients.

Computed tomographic dacryocystography in children undergoing balloon dacryoplasty.

PURPOSE: To ascertain whether the volume and circumference of the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct as measured by contrast-enhanced computed tomographic dacryocystography (CT-DCG) before and after balloon dacryoplasty could be used to predict clinical success in children with congenital nasolacrimal obstruction. METHODS: Nasolacrimal ducts of children aged 2 to 6 years with clinical signs of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction undergoing balloon dilation were imaged with contrast-enhanced CT-DCG before and 5 minutes after the procedure. The circumference of the most dilated portion of the lacrimal sac was measured on the axial plane. The volume of contrast within the nasolacrimal duct and sac was also measured before and after the procedure. Clinical success was defined as the disappearance of signs of epiphora. RESULTS: A total of 18 nasolacrimal ducts of 13 children were included. The average circumference of the most dilated portion of the lacrimal sac was 1.30 ± 0.45 cm (range, 0.64-2.50 cm) before the procedure. The average contrast volume was 0.12 ± 0.08 cm(3) (range, 0.01-0.38 cm(3)) before and 0.07 ± 0.06 cm(3) (range, 0.01-0.20 cm(3)) after (P = 0.01). Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression with a backward variable input model; a decrease in contrast volume before and after dilation (P = 0.04) was associated with clinical success, whereas the larger size of the most dilated portion of the lacrimal sac (P = 0.01) was associated with clinical failure. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced CT-DCG provides useful information about nasolacrimal anatomy in children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The decrease in contrast volume before and after balloon dilation was predictive of success; A larger size of the most dilated portion of the lacrimal sac was associated with clinical failure.