The Impact of Submental Deoxycholic Acid Injections on Neck Surgery

Non-invasive procedures targeting the submental fat or "double chin" have undergone a surge in popularity. Injections of deoxycholic acid, a secondary bile acid, have recently received FDA-approval for fat reduction in this area. With appropriate patient selection, this preparation of 10 mg/mL of sodium deoxycholate (Kybella®, Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, Westlake Village, CA) leads to aesthetic improvement of moderate-to-severe convexity or fullness associated with submental fat in adults.

The Aesthetic Oculoplastic Surgery Video Teleconference Consult.

BACKGROUND: Skype video telemedicine consults are gaining popularity to evaluate patients from distant locations. No study has analyzed the utility of this means of patient evaluation in a cosmetic oculoplastic patient population. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to provide an evidence-based analysis of the utility of Skype video consults in a cosmetic oculoplastic surgery patient population with regards to patient demographics, reasons for consult, and procedural conversion rate. METHODS: A 1-year retrospective chart review (May 2016 to May 2017) of patients who underwent aesthetic oculoplastic Skype consults from 2 authors' practices was performed. The authors analyzed patient demographics, referral source, chief complaint, location of residence, length of consult, and conversion to face-to-face consultation and intervention. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients (60 women and 19 men) underwent Skype evaluations. Mean age was 49 years. Sixty-four consults (81%) lasted 15 minutes or less. Referral sources included the internet (67%), another physician (19%), self-referral (7.5%), referred by former patients (4%), and social media sites (2.5%). Consultations were obtained for revision (49%), or first-time (30%) eyelid/eyebrow surgery, cosmetic ptosis surgery (6%), laser skin procedures (5%), cosmetic orbital decompression (5%), and lower eyelid fat prolapse (5%). Twenty patients (25%) followed-up with in-person consultation. Sixteen of these patients (80%) had surgical (56%) or nonsurgical (44%) interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Skype consults are an efficient, in-office modality to increase patient flow through the office, expand patient base, and generate income. In this report, 25% of Skype contacts followed-up with formal in-person consultations, of which 80% had surgical or nonsurgical interventions.

Upper Eyelid Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing With Incisional Blepharoplasty.

PURPOSE: Laser resurfacing, performed at the same time as blepharoplasty, has most commonly been applied to the lower eyelid skin but can effectively be used on the upper eyelid to reduce rhytidosis and improve skin quality. The authors evaluate the safety and efficacy of this procedure. METHODS: Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing was performed in conjunction with incisional upper blepharoplasty. The ultrapulsed laser energy was applied to the sub-brow skin, the upper medial canthal skin, and the pretarsal skin in 30 patients. Photos were obtained preoperatively and at 3 months. RESULTS: All patients demonstrated reduction in upper eyelid rhytidosis without any serious complications. Independent rhytidosis grading (0-4) showed a mean improvement of 42%. One patient experienced wound dehiscence that satisfactorily resolved without intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Upper eyelid laser resurfacing is effective and can be safely performed at the same time as upper blepharoplasty. This approach reduces or eliminates the need for medial incisions to address medial canthal skin redundancy and rhytidosis and it directly treats upper eyelid wrinkles on residual eyelid and infra-brow skin during blepharoplasty.

Extranodal Rosai-Dorfman Disease of the Orbit: Clinical Features of 8 Cases.

PURPOSE: To report on the presentation, radiography, histology, and treatment of 8 cases of extranodal Rosai-Dorfman disease involving the orbit. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective case series. RESULTS: Five males and 3 females had a median age of 10 years (range 2-78 years). Presenting signs and symptoms included proptosis, periorbital pain, palpable mass, blepharoptosis, decreased vision, diplopia, impaired extraocular motility, and afferent pupillary defect. Four patients had bilateral orbital disease, while 4 had unilateral disease. Six cases were extraconal, 1 was intraconal, and 1 was both intra- and extra-conal. Four cases had only extranodal disease without lymphadenopathy (3 of which had localized orbital disease). Diagnosis was confirmed by exam, orbital, and/or systemic radiography, and biopsy in all cases. Treatment strategies included excision or debulking, systemic corticosteroids, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, observation or a combination thereof. At last follow up, 4 patients were disease free, while 4 had residual improved disease. CONCLUSIONS: Rosai-Dorfman disease of the orbit is a rare clinical entity. Purely extranodal disease is rare, with isolated orbital disease being exceedingly rare. This study is unique in that 4 of 8 patients had strictly isolated extranodal disease of the orbit. A large majority of the cases had disease in the extraconal space, contrasting with previous reports. In addition, lacrimal gland disease, particularly bilateral involvement, was prominent in the current study. Although there is no consensus on treatment, surgical excision should be attempted if plausible in symptomatic patients especially if the orbit represents a localized site of disease.

A case of congenital myofibroma of the orbit presenting at birth.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to highlight a rare cause of congenital proptosis. METHODS: This is a case report. RESULTS: We present a case of a baby girl born with a large myofibroma in the right retrobulbar space. This case is unusual because it presented from birth and was in a critical location. A prenatal ultrasound performed two days prior to birth did not reveal this mass to the technician or obstetrician. At birth, the tumor induced severe proptosis, with the eyelids unable to close around the globe. Deterioration of the ocular surface secondary to exposure was evident immediately after birth. One week after birth, the mass was excised by the Oculoplastics service in conjunction with a Neurosurgical team using a transcranial approach. The tumor was diagnosed by histopathology and immunologic staining as a myofibroma, a rare condition. CONCLUSIONS: Orbital myofibroma is a rare cause of congenital proptosis presenting at birth.

Timing of eyelid surgery in the setting of refractive surgery: preoperative and postoperative considerations.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: With any operation, the surgeon should be aware of predisposing factors that may lead to postoperative complications. Here we review the major factors due for consideration in both eyelid and refractive eye surgery, preoperatively and postoperatively, and consider the importance of timing to lessen the inherent risks of each procedure. RECENT FINDINGS: Refractive surgery can affect corneal sensation by ablating the corneal nerves and can cause serious corneal complications if followed by eyelid surgery. Studies find that patients undergoing eyelid surgery have a change in astigmatic error of as much as 1.0 D during the first 3 postoperative months. The longest reported follow-up period of astigmatic changes in adult patients following eyelid ptosis surgery is 1 year and a considerable number of patients had a change in cylinder of up to 0.3 D postoperatively. Blepharoplastic surgery is also reported to cause astigmatic changes postoperatively, significantly more if entire fat pads are removed. SUMMARY: To prevent corneal exposure, postrefractive eyelid surgery should be performed at least 6 months after lamellar ablative procedures and at least 3 months after surface ablative procedures. Refractive surgery revision may be necessary when astigmatic error occurs and should be carried out no earlier than 6 months postoperatively to allow for stabilization. Cosmetic blepharoplasty with fat pad debulking should be performed at least 6 months prior to refractive surgery to allow for any potential corneal astigmatic change to stabilize, for regained strength in the orbicularis, and for improved tear film distribution.

Modified conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy for upper lacrimal system obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a modified technique for conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR) and to compare this technique with the standard transcaruncular placement of the glass tube. METHODS: Patients with upper lacrimal system obstruction underwent CDCR at the Jules Stein Eye Institute during a 3-year period. Thirteen patients underwent modified CDCR leaving the caruncle intact, while 7 patients underwent Jones glass tubes placement through a caruncular incision (conventional CDCR). Data regarding ocular and tearing history were recorded and analyzed. Success rates, defined as complete improvement in tearing, were compared between patients who underwent standard CDCR and those who underwent modified CDCR. Main outcome measures included symptom relief, patients' tolerance of the Jones tube, and surgical complications. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (12 men and 7 women; mean age, 66 years) underwent 20 CDCR surgical procedures with Jones tube placement. Previous lacrimal history included malignancy of the ocular adnexa, trauma, chemotherapy, and previous failed dacryocystorhinostomy. Success was found in 13 surgical cases (65%) and partial improvement was found in 4, giving a qualified success rate of 85%. Patients who underwent modified CDCR were more likely to undergo a successful surgery compared with patients who underwent conventional CDCR, with 11 (85%) of 13 cases achieving complete improvement vs 2 (29%) of 7 cases in the conventional CDCR group (P = .03, Fisher exact test). Complications included 1 case of migration and loss of the Jones tube. CONCLUSION: Modified CDCR results in partial or complete resolution of tearing in nearly 92% of cases, allowing for an improved outcome both functionally and cosmetically compared with conventional CDCR.

Muller's muscle-conjunctival resection for correction of upper eyelid ptosis: relationship between phenylephrine testing and the amount of tissue resected with final eyelid position.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcome of Müller's muscle-conjunctival resection (MMCR) for correction of upper eyelid ptosis and to explore the relationship between phenylephrine testing, muscle resection, and surgical outcome. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed for all patients who underwent MMCR at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, from January 1, 1999, through June 30, 2005. Outcome measures were margin reflex distance-1, ptosis correction after instillation of phenylephrine drops, extent of MMCR, ptosis correction, and eyelid symmetry. RESULTS: In 80 patients who underwent 131 MMCR procedures for correction of upper eyelid ptosis, margin reflex distance-1 increased on average by 1.6 mm (P < .001). In 106 patients (81%), eyelid symmetry equal to or less than 1 mm was achieved (P = .02). Phenylephrine testing underestimated the extent of ptosis correction achieved with MMCR. A weak correlation was found between the extent of MMCR and ptosis correction (r = 0.2; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Müller's muscle-conjunctival resection is effective for ptosis correction in patients with good levator muscle function; good eyelid symmetry is achieved in most patients. Phenylephrine testing underestimated the ptosis correction achieved with MMCR by 40%. The relationship between MMCR and ptosis correction is complex.

Orbital invasion by recurrent maxillary ameloblastoma.

PURPOSE: To describe 2 patients with orbital invasion by maxillary ameloblastoma, a rare odontogenic tumor that is not commonly encountered in ophthalmic practice. DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional case report. METHODS: Two patients who were diagnosed with maxillary ameloblastoma several years ago sought treatment for new-onset ocular and orbital signs and symptoms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and radiological findings and outcome. RESULTS: In the first patient, tumor recurrence with orbital invasion was diagnosed, and the patient underwent a total orbital exenteration. No recurrence was noted after 18 months of follow-up. The second patient had intracranial involvement with orbital invasion and underwent an extensive resection through an intracranial approach. No recurrence was noted after a 6-month follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Although a slow-growing tumor, maxillary ameloblastoma can recur after surgical excision and can be locally aggressive; it can invade the orbit and result in significant ocular morbidity. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this tumor and should monitor these patients closely when orbital invasion is suspected.

Subperiosteal midface lift with or without a hard palate mucosal graft for correction of lower eyelid retraction.

PURPOSE: To compare functional and surgical outcomes of a subperiosteal midface lift with and without the placement of a hard palate mucosal graft (HPMG) in patients with lower eyelid retraction. DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-four patients with lower eyelid retractions who underwent surgery at the Jules Stein Eye Institute in a 5-year period. METHODS: Medical record review of all patients who underwent surgery for lower eyelid retraction by a subperiosteal midface lift with or without an HPMG. Preoperative and postoperative digital photographs were taken in all patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in margin reflex distance 2 (MRD2), measured from the pupillary margin to the upper margin of the lower eyelid; patient discomfort; and surgical complications. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (20 female; mean age, 64 years) participated in the study; 11 underwent bilateral surgery, with overall 43 surgeries performed. Eighteen patients (42%) had lower eyelid retraction secondary to previous transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty. Postoperatively, patients attained a better lower eyelid position, with improvement of lower eyelid height of 1.4 mm (P<0.001, 1-sample t test). Patients operated using an HPMG (12 surgeries) achieved a greater reduction in MRD2 postoperatively as compared with patients operated by subperiosteal midface lift alone (31 surgeries; 2.2 mm vs. 1.1 mm, respectively; P = 0.02, Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney). One patient needed reoperation secondary to symptomatic lower eyelid retraction postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The subperiosteal midface lift is effective in correction of lower eyelid retraction of various causes. The use of an HPMG spacer may enhance surgical outcomes and results in a better lower eyelid position.

Comparing outcomes of enucleation and evisceration.

PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcomes of enucleation and evisceration by functional and aesthetic measures. DESIGN: Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-four patients who underwent enucleation or evisceration. METHODS: The medical records of the participants were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical photographs were graded by blinded observers for qualitative measures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative eyelid and motility measurements, as well as subjective grades of various aesthetic and functional outcomes. RESULTS: There is no statistically significant difference in the overall aesthetic outcome of enucleation and evisceration, although several specific comparisons were found to be significant. Implant motility score is higher in eviscerated eyes (5.58+/-2.08) than in enucleated eyes (4.35+/-1.69) (P = 0.05). Adduction of the implant is significantly less than abduction in eviscerated eyes (1.34 vs. 1.44; P = 0.02). Implant motility is greater than prosthesis motility. Both enucleation and evisceration result in enophthalmos and a sulcus defect. Seven of 32 patients (21.9%) who underwent enucleation experienced a complication, whereas only of 7 of 52 patients (13.5%) who underwent evisceration experienced a complication (P = 0.0002). The 2 most common complications were implant exposure and formation of a pyogenic granuloma. CONCLUSIONS: Although enucleation and evisceration produce aesthetically similar outcomes, eviscerated eyes have better implant motility and experience fewer complications. Both enucleation and evisceration result in enophthalmos, sulcus contour defects, and incomplete transfer of implant motility to the prosthesis.

Strabismus after deep lateral wall orbital decompression in thyroid-related orbitopathy patients using automated hess screen.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of deep lateral wall orbital decompression with intraconal fat debulking on strabismus in thyroid-related orbitopathy (TRO) patients using automated Hess screen (AHS). DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized clinical study. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven TRO patients (19 surgeries) operated on at the Jules Stein Eye Institute from January, 2004, through December, 2004. METHODS: Automated Hess screen testing was performed in all patients before surgery and 3 months after surgery; all patients received surgery in the nonactive phase of the disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Amplitude of horizontal and vertical deviations (prism diopters) in all standard positions of gaze. RESULTS: Eleven TRO patients (7 females; mean age, 47 years) were included in the study; 8 patients underwent bilateral surgery. After surgery, exophthalmos decreased an average (+/-standard deviation) of 2.7 mm (+/-2.5 mm; P = 0.003). Before surgery, 7 patients (63%) reported primary gaze diplopia, whereas only 2 patients (18%) showed diplopia in primary gaze after surgery (P = 0.03, chi-square analysis). Orbital decompression had no statistically significant effect on horizontal and vertical ocular deviations measured by AHS. Mean amplitude of deviation in primary gaze was 1.2 prism diopters (PD) esotropia and 0.07 PD hypotropia before surgery, and 2.5 PD exotropia with 0.6 PD hypertropia after surgery (delta = 3.7 PD for horizontal deviation and -0.7 for vertical deviation; P = 0.051, paired samples t test for horizontal difference and P not significant for vertical difference). Nonsignificant P values were obtained in all 9 positions of gaze. Most patients had periocular numbness that resolved spontaneously 2 to 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Deep lateral wall orbital decompression with intraconal fat debulking had no statistically significant effect on horizontal and vertical deviations measured by the AHS. Patients may demonstrate small angle exotropia shift, but this finding was not clinically significant.

Sclerosing therapy as first line treatment for low flow vascular lesions of the orbit.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of sodium morrhuate 5% injections in patients with low flow vascular lesions, which consist of orbital lymphangiomas, and in one patient with intraosseous cavernous hemangioma. DESIGN: Prospective, interventional consecutive case series. METHODS: Intralesional sodium morrhuate 5% was injected under direct visualization or under radiographic guidance to six patients with orbital lymphangiomas and one patient with intraosseous cavernous hemangioma. Comprehensive eye examination and follow-up imaging studies were performed. main outcome measures: Lesion size was evaluated by orbital imaging and clinical examination, visual acuity, exophthalmos, and posttreatment complications. RESULTS: Seven patients (four female, three male; average age, 33 years) were included. Six patients were diagnosed with orbital lymphangioma, and one patient was diagnosed with intraosseous cavernous hemangioma. Patients received an average of 2.6+/-2 intralesional injections of sodium morrhuate, with a range of one to six injections and a mean volume of 0.9+/-0.8 ml (range, 0.2 to 2.1 ml). Lesions showed a decrease in size an average of 50% (33%) and ranged from minimal (10%) to near total resolution (85%). Visual acuity and intraocular pressure remained unchanged; exophthalmos decreased an average of 1.5+/-1.8 mm. Complications included one case of orbital hemorrhage that resolved spontaneously and transient keratopathy in all patients with anterior orbital lesions. CONCLUSION: Intralesional sclerosing therapy with sodium morrhuate 5% is effective in tumor debulking in patients with orbital lymphangioma and is not associated with vision-threatening complications. It may be a better alternative to surgery for low flow orbital tumors, which includes lymphangioma.

External versus endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy for acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction in a tertiary referral center.

PURPOSE: To compare success rates of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and endoscopic endonasal DCR for acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative, nonrandomized clinical study. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred forty-three patients (176 surgeries) operated for acquired NLDO. METHODS: A review of electronic medical records of patients with acquired NLDO who underwent DCR at the Jules Stein Eye Institute from 1999 to 2004 was performed. Data regarding the lacrimal drainage system, comprehensive eye examination, surgical outcome, and postoperative nasal endoscopy were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgery failure was defined as (1) no marked improvement in tearing or any episode of postoperative dacryocystitis, (2) inability to irrigate the lacrimal system postoperatively, and (3) postoperative nasal endoscopy with scarring in the intranasal osteotomy or no visualization of fluorescein dye. Postoperative nasal endoscopy was performed in all failed cases and in >50% of all patients. RESULTS: One hundred forty-three patients (48 male and 95 female; mean age, 63 years) underwent 176 DCR surgeries for acquired NLDO. Success was achieved in 135 cases (76.7%), and failure in 41 (23.3%). Of the 41 failed cases, anatomical obstruction at the fistula site was found in 20 (49% of failed cases), whereas functional failure with no evidence of obstruction was found in 21 (51%). Surgery revision was performed in 22 cases (12.5%), but it was successful in only 9 (5.1%); patients who failed the first revision were likely to fail additional revisions (P = 0.02). History of facial trauma was associated with surgery failure. In our patients, endoscopic DCR (86 cases) had a significantly higher success rate than external DCR (90 cases), 84% versus 70% (P = 0.03). Complications included 1 patient with nose bleeding on the first postoperative day that resolved with nasal packing and 2 patients with sump syndrome that resolved after endoscopic revision. CONCLUSIONS: The success rate of DCR for acquired NLDO in our group of patients was 77%, lower than reported in previous studies, with endoscopic surgery showing better results. Success rates of revision surgery were relatively low (<50%), and patients who fail the first revision are not likely to benefit from additional revisions.

Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection for primary and recurrent chalazia: is it really effective?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injection in primary and recurrent chalazia. DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional, consecutive case series. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred forty-seven patients with primary or recurrent chalazia (155 cases) treated at the oculoplastic clinic at the Jules Stein Eye Institute between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2003. METHODS: Patients received an intralesional injection of 0.1 to 0.2 ml TA (40 mg/ml). Data regarding lesion size, including digital color photography, lesion regression or recurrence, and complete ophthalmic examination, were recorded at the time of injection and at different intervals until resolution or surgical excision. Success was defined as at least an 80% decrease in size with no recurrence. If the lesion recurred or regression was minimal (<50%), further injections were given as needed. Patients who declined injection or who did not respond to 2 to 3 injections were referred for surgical excision and drainage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lesion size, clinical resolution, time to resolution, recurrence, and complications. RESULTS: Most of the patients received 1 injection (93 patients; 60%) or 2 injections (31 patients; 20%) with resolution of the lesion (more than 80% decrease in size), with an average time to resolution of 2.5 weeks. Patients who did not respond to 2 injections were more likely to fail treatment (minimal or no regression), to respond to further injections, or to undergo surgical excision and drainage (P = 0.0001, chi-square test). Patients with blepharitis required more injections to resolution (2+/-1.3 vs. 1.4+/-1; P = 0.05, independent samples t test). Intraocular pressure and visual acuity remained stable after treatment. No complications, such as visual loss, subcutaneous fat atrophy, or skin depigmentation changes, were noted with steroids injections; assuming a complication rate of 2%, our power was adequate to rule out these complications. CONCLUSIONS: Intralesional TA injection in primary and recurrent chalazia is effective in achieving lesion regression. Most cases resolve with an average of 1 to 2 injections. Chalazia that fail to respond to 2 or 3 injections are more likely to benefit from surgical excision. It may be considered as a first treatment in cases where diagnosis is straightforward.

Paradoxical use of frontalis muscle and the possible role of botulinum a toxin in permanent motor relearning.

PURPOSE: To report 7 patients with paradoxical use of the frontalis muscle despite postsurgical correction of ptosis with good postoperative eyelid position. Successful treatment with botulinum A toxin facilitated motor relearning and cessation of muscle contraction. DESIGN: Interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Seven patients, in 2 eye-plastic clinics, who underwent successful surgical correction of upper eyelid ptosis. METHODS: Review of clinical history, clinical photographs, treatment, and follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frontalis muscle contraction and upper eyelid position. RESULTS: Patients underwent successful surgical correction of ptosis but continued using the frontalis muscle despite good eyelid position postoperatively. Frontalis contraction ceased spontaneously in 2 patients, but required botulinum A toxin injection in 5. The effects of a single treatment of botulinum A toxin lasted from 3 months to 2 years, longer than the expected effect of the toxin. CONCLUSION: Patients with long-standing eyelid ptosis may paradoxically continue utilizing the frontalis after successful surgical correction and despite good postoperative eyelid position. Cessation of frontalis contraction can be achieved with a single injection of botulinum A toxin. We hypothesize that chemodenervation, achieved with the toxin, may influence the central nervous system to relearn the set point for muscle contraction and may be associated with permanent motor relearning. Spontaneous resolution of muscle contraction can occur in the first months after surgery.

Simultaneous orbital decompression and correction of upper eyelid retraction versus staged procedures in thyroid-related orbitopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of eyelid retraction surgery in thyroid-related orbitopathy (TRO) patients in 2 different surgical settings: done simultaneously with orbital decompression or as a staged procedure after orbital decompression. DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative, nonrandomized clinical study. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-six patients (158 eyes). METHODS: A review of electronic medical records of TRO patients who underwent surgery for upper eyelid retraction and orbital decompression at the Jules Stein Eye Institute in 1999 to 2003 was performed. Data regarding eyelid position, comprehensive eye examination, surgical outcome, and complications were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anatomical and functional success based on margin reflex distance (MRD1; < or = 5 mm was graded as mild retraction; > 5 mm and < 7 mm, moderate; and > 7 mm, severe), and patients' discomfort. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-eight eyelid retraction surgeries were performed on 96 TRO patients (18 male and 78 female; mean age, 48 years); mean follow up time was 15 (+/-12) months. Group 1 consisted of patients undergoing simultaneous eyelid retraction surgery and orbital decompression and comprised 97 cases (surgeries). Group 2 included 61 cases of staged surgery: orbital decompression and eyelid retraction at a later stage. The groups had similar surgical outcomes, and > 85% had a better eyelid position postoperatively. Reoperation rates for residual or recurrent eyelid retraction were similar, overcorrection was higher in group 2 (5% vs. 0%, P = 0.03). Changes in MRD1, lagophthalmos, and exophthalmos were similar (P > 0.05, independent samples t test). Correction of eyelid retraction was effective in treating patients' discomfort and exposure keratopathy (P = 0.04, chi2). No severe complications occurred after orbital decompression or eyelid retraction surgery in this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Transconjunctival Muller's muscle recession for correction of eyelid retraction in mild to moderate TRO patients, performed simultaneously with deep lateral wall orbital decompression, resulted in acceptable eyelid position in two thirds of our patients. Overcorrection and consecutive ptosis occurred less often after combined orbital decompression and eyelid retraction surgery than after isolated eyelid repositioning surgery. If confirmed in prospective controlled studies, eyelid-repositioning surgery performed at the time of orbital decompression may decrease the number of total procedures and compress the time needed for surgical rehabilitation.

Minimally invasive orbital decompression: local anesthesia and hand-carved bone.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of a conservative orbital decompression using sharp-curette bony decompression and intraconal fat debulking through a transconjunctival incision in patients with thyroid-related orbitopathy and mild to moderate proptosis. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Data from all patients undergoing minimal orbital decompression at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, Los Angeles, Calif, over a period of 4(1/4) years were collected and analyzed. Data included visual acuity, exophthalmometry measurements, intraocular pressure, complete slitlamp examination results, ocular ductions, new-onset primary or downgaze diplopia, and patient satisfaction. Conservative decompression was performed through a transconjunctival incision using a manual curette and by removing cortical bone from the zygomatic marrow space on the anterior rim of the inferior orbital fissure; intraconal fat was bluntly dissected and excised or suctioned with a Frasier tip aspirator. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient perception of pressure pain and ocular discomfort, proptosis, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, postoperative complications, and new-onset primary or downgaze diplopia. RESULTS: Eighty minimally invasive orbital decompression surgeries were performed in 48 patients (6 male, 42 female). Six surgeries (4 patients) were performed for prominent globes with relative proptosis and no thyroid-related orbitopathy (non-Graves proptosis). All patients had improvement in congestive orbitopathy and pressure pain associated with thyroid-related orbitopathy. Exophthalmos decreased by a mean +/- SD of 2.4 +/- 2.6 mm from 22.7 +/- 2.5 mm (range, 17-29 mm) to 20.3 +/- 2.3 mm (range, 14-25 mm) (P<.001 [95% confidence interval, 1.8-3.0]). Mean visual acuity improved after surgery (P = .02). One patient (2.1%) developed postoperative primary or downgaze diplopia; he underwent successful eye muscle surgery at a later stage. No complications were associated with orbital decompression. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive orbital decompression surgery with intraconal fat debulking in this group of patients was effective in proptosis reduction; improvement in subjective pressure pain and high patient satisfaction were noticed. Surgery was associated with a low rate (2.1%) of new-onset primary or downgaze diplopia. Proptosis reduction using a graded approach accounting for 4 mm of retrodisplacement was achieved.

External (subciliary) vs internal (transconjunctival) involutional entropion repair.

PURPOSE: To compare surgical outcomes of internal (transconjunctival) vs external (subciliary) involutional entropion repair. DESIGN: Retrospective, consecutive case series. METHODS: Electronic medical record review of all patients who underwent involutional entropion repair at the Jules Stein Eye Institute over a 4-year period was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anatomic and functional success, recurrence rate, and complications. RESULTS: Forty-nine eyes (39 patients) were operated. Twenty-nine eyes underwent subciliary incision repair; 20 eyes underwent transconjunctival repair, both with lower lid retractors reinsertion. Good correlation was found between two masked observers in grading surgical outcome (on a scale of 1 to 4) (r = .76, P < .001). Forty-two cases (84%) achieved good surgical repair and improvement in symptoms. Recurrence was noticed in 4 eyes (8.2%). Recurrence was higher with the internal approach (15% vs 3% with subciliary incision), but this was not statistically significant (P = .14). Complications included: three cases (8.2%) with mild eyelid retraction that were treated conservatively, three cases with postoperative ectropion (all in the external approach, two of which lateral canthal resuspension was not performed), and two cases (4.1%, one case in each group) with pyogenic granuloma. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical correction of involutional entropion by reinsertion of lower eyelid retractors has similar outcome with internal (transconjunctival) and external (subcilliary) approaches. Although not statistically significant, internal repair may result in a higher recurrence rate, whereas external repair may show more postoperative ectropion, most probably attributable to scarring of the anterior lamella. Lateral canthal resuspension, when needed, may reduce the rate of postoperative ectropion.