A comparative study of conventional intermarginal split lamella with labial mucous membrane graft versus sutureless procedure using fibrin sealant to manage major trichiasis.

OBJECTIVE: In the intermarginal split lamella with labial mucous membrane graft procedure to manage major trichiasis, the graft is usually sutured in the receptor bed using 6-0 polyglactin sutures. We aimed to compare the use of fibrin sealant to seal the graft to the receptor bed versus the conventional technique using sutures. METHODS: This is a retrospective comparative study of patients who underwent conventional intermarginal split lamella with labial mucous membrane graft or sutureless procedure using fibrin sealant (Tisseel, Baxter Healthcare Corp) between 2016 and 2021. Etiology of the trichiasis, procedure duration, postoperative discomfort and edema, complications, and follow-up period were extracted from these patients' charts. RESULTS: Twenty-seven eyelids from 19 patients underwent the procedure: twelve patients underwent the sutureless procedure, while seven underwent the conventional procedure. Mean follow-up was 8.4 ± 2.9 months and 13.7 ± 6.5 months for the sutureless and conventional groups, respectively. Patients who underwent the sutureless procedure reported no postoperative foreign body sensation, while 71.4% of patients who underwent the conventional procedure reported some degree of ocular discomfort. In the sutureless group, operating time and postoperative edema were significantly reduced. Labial mucous membrane graft dehiscence was observed in one eyelid (8.3%) on the first postoperative day in the sutureless group. No dehiscence was observed in the conventional technique group. CONCLUSION: The use of fibrin sealant showed to be a good alternative to conventional absorbable sutures. Advantages include expedited operating time, decreased postoperative discomfort, and expedite postoperative recovery.

Possible Influence of Upper Blepharoplasty on Intraocular Pressure.

PURPOSE: There is anecdotal evidence that upper blepharoplasty might lead to raised intraocular pressure (IOP). If this association is confirmed, then patients with glaucoma and glaucoma suspects could be at risk if they underwent this procedure with no appropriate follow up. Here, the authors aimed to determine whether there are significant changes in IOP after upper blepharoplasty. METHODS: This prospective study evaluated the IOP at baseline and 1, 2, and 6 weeks after an upper blepharoplasty in individuals with mild to moderate dermatochalasis. Upper blepharoplasty might change the pressure exerted by the upper eyelid into the cornea, and this could affect the corneal surface and the IOP; thus, the corneal topography was also recorded before and at 6 weeks. RESULTS: The IOP of 40 eyes was evaluated. The mean (±SD) preoperative IOP was 14.19 ± 2.12 mm Hg. A statistically significant increase in IOP was observed at 1 (15.15 ± 2.27 mm Hg, p = 0.009), 2 (15.57 ± 2.29 mm Hg, p < 0.0001), and 6 weeks (15.21 ± 2.60 mm Hg, p = 0.001) postoperatively. A statistically significant increase in steep K (preoperative: 44.66 ± 2.06, 6 weeks: 44.78 ± 2.28, p = 0.007) and corneal astigmatism was also observed (preoperative: 0.78 ± 0.43, 6 weeks: 0.89 ± 0.45, p = 0.006) at 6 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Upper blepharoplasty resulted in a mild and statistically significant increase in intraocular pressure postoperatively. The authors' results suggest that upper blepharoplasty should be carefully evaluated in glaucoma and glaucoma suspect patients.