Orbital Volume Augmentation for Enophthalmos Following Ventriculoperitoneal Shunting: A Case Study in "Silent Brain Syndrome".

A 21-year-old female with a history of infantile hydrocephalus and ventriculoperitoneal shunting presented with bilateral persistent tearing. Examination revealed marked bilateral enophthalmos, poor lower eyelid apposition to the ocular surface, and patent nasolacrimal systems. Radiographic imaging demonstrated expanded orbital volumes with high arching orbital roofs, sequestered air under the eyelids, short, straight optic nerves, and expanded paranasal sinuses. Surgical intervention included insertion of mesh and block implants within the subperiosteal space of the orbital roof, resulting in correction of enophthalmos, improved lower eyelid apposition and resolution of tearing. However, new onset myopic astigmatism and bilateral ptosis were noted postoperatively and treated successfully with corrective spectacles and ptosis repair. Current literature has demonstrated the benefit of orbital roof implants through a upper eyelid crease incision. The authors present a case that supports the utility of this approach and addresses its potential complications, including postoperative-induced astigmatism/myopia and ptosis.

Blepharoptosis surgery in patients with myasthenia gravis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To review our approach of cautious surgical correction of blepharoptosis in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) to minimise risk of exposure complications. METHODS: Retrospective case note review of 30 patients with symptomatic eyelid concerns despite appropriate medical treatment, who underwent eyelid surgery. The mean age at diagnosis was 47 years. 13/30 patients had systemic MG, 14/30 ocular MG and 3/30 congenital MG. The main outcome measures were improvement in eyelid height and/or position, duration of a successful postoperative result, need for further surgical intervention, and intraoperative or postoperative complications. RESULTS: 38 blepharoptosis procedures were performed on 23 patients. Mean age at time of surgery was 62 years, with an average follow-up of 29 months. 10 patients (16 eyelids) underwent anterior approach levator advancement, 4 patients (5 eyelids) posterior approach surgery and 8 patients (15 eyelids) brow suspension. One patient (2 eyelids) had tarsal switch surgery. An average improvement in eyelid height of 1.9 mm was achieved. Postoperative symptoms or signs of exposure keratopathy occurred in 17% of patients. This necessitated lid lowering in one eyelid of one patient. During follow-up, 37% of eyelids required further surgical intervention to improve the upper eyelid height, after an average of 19 months (range 0.5-49 months). CONCLUSIONS: Over a third of patients in our series required repeat surgery, which would be expected when the initial aim was to under-correct this group. In contrast to previous commentaries, the amount of eyelid excursion was not the main factor used to guide the surgical approach.

Use of hyaluronic acid gel in the treatment of lagophthalmos in sunken superior sulcus syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of hyaluronic acid gel in the management of lagophthalmos in sunken superior sulcus syndrome. INTRODUCTION: Lagophthalmos associated with orbital fat atrophy and deep superior sulcus is a known entity described previously. Orbital fat atrophy results in deep superior sulcus where skin, orbicularis muscle, and orbital septum retract posteriorly in the deep superior sulcus, leading to lagophthalmos from suboptimal orbicularis function and effective skin shortening. The authors define this condition as sunken superior sulcus syndrome (SSSS) when the deep superior sulcus leads to exposure keratopathy. Thus, the syndrome consists of deep superior sulcus, lagophthalmos, and exposure keratopathy. Although the use of hyaluronic acid gel has been proposed as a management option for paralytic lagophthalmos, its application in the treatment of lagophthalmos in SSSS has not been reported. METHODS: In this study, 5 patients (10 eyelids) with SSSS were injected with hyaluronic acid gel in the superior sulcus of the upper eyelid. Injected amount was titrated until the desired point was reached: complete or nearly complete eyelid closure. RESULTS: After an average follow up of 9.5 months, lagoph thalmos improved by 2 mm or 69% (p = 0.02) on the right side and by 1 mm or 71% (p = 0.01) on the left side. Most patients also reported significantly improved ocular comfort and appearance of the superior sulcus. The only complications noted were bruising and temporary uneven contour of the upper eyelid sulcus. CONCLUSIONS: Management of lagophthalmos in SSSS with hyaluronic acid gel is an effective and safe alternative to surgery.

Lower eyelid and midface rejuvenation.

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is one of the most common procedures in aesthetic plastic surgery. Although patients desiring lower eyelid blepharoplasty typically describe their problem as "bags in the lower eyelids," there are many anatomical imperfections that should be assessed. With aging, the youthful single convexity of the lower lid separates into a double convexity with a valley at the intersection of the lower lid and midface. Midface descent further drags this intersection inferiorly, leading to a vertically lengthened lower eyelid. This article discusses how to clinically evaluate lower lid deformities, how to formulate a surgical plan, the preoperative assessment, and surgical markings. The rationale and anesthetic technique for outpatient versus in-office surgery is reviewed, and a detailed step-by-step approach with accompanying figures for lower lid blepharoplasty via a transconjunctival or transcutaneous incision is given. An approach to vertically supporting the lower eyelid is presented.

Anterior filler displacement following injection of calcium hydroxylapatite gel (Radiesse) for anophthalmic orbital volume augmentation.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the complication of anterior filler displacement following injection of calcium hydroxylapatite gel (Radiesse) for anophthalmic enophthalmos correction. METHODS: Retrospective case series of patients who experienced anterior filler displacement following orbital injection of calcium hydroxylapatite. Data includes patient demographics, indication for injection, route and volume of injection, description of postinjection complications, and final outcome. RESULTS: Four cases of anterior filler displacement and expansion following injection of calcium hydroxylapatite were identified. The patients' ages ranged from 33 to 64 years old. All 4 patients underwent multiple prior orbital surgeries and suffered from anophthalmic enophthalmos. Injectable calcium hydroxylapatite was delivered transcutaneously, to the deep extraconal orbital space, via 27-gauge, 1.25-inch retrobulbar needles. Each patient received an initial 1.3 ml of filler, with 1 patient receiving an additional 0.8 ml. Within 1 week, all patients experienced prominent, edematous lower eyelids. A CT scan of 1 patient radiographically documented anterior migration of the filler material. Two patients required transconjunctival excision of the filler and infiltrated orbital fat. Histopathologic examination of 1 specimen revealed chronic foreign body granulomatous inflammation. Two patients were treated medically, with resolution of clinical findings over 6 to 9 months. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior filler displacement is a potential complication of orbital volume augmentation with injectable calcium hydroxylapatite. Patients should be counseled regarding this possibility when considering options for the treatment of anophthalmic enophthalmos. A history of multiple prior orbital surgeries, with associated tissue disruption and scarring, may be a risk factor for filler displacement.

Lateral canthal resuspension sine canthotomy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe a novel canthopexy technique-the lateral canthal resuspension sine canthotomy (LCR-SC)-performed via an upper-eyelid incision and to compare it with the lateral tarsal strip procedure (LTS). METHODS: This is a retrospective study in which the pre- and postoperative photographs of 20 patients per group who had LCR-SC, LCR-SC + midface lift (LCR-SC+ML), or LTS were analyzed by using the Image-J 1.40 software. Parameters measured were as follows: the horizontal palpebral aperture margin-reflex distance 2 (MRD-2) and the height of lateral canthus. LCR-SC was performed through an upper-eyelid incision, by using a 4.0 Prolene suture. For the LCR-SC+ML, a large myocutaneous flap was created first and anchored to the orbital-rim periosteum. The surgical technique is described. Two-way ANOVA was used for analysis. RESULTS: The horizontal palpebral aperture was significantly increased by LCR-SC and LCR-SC+ML when compared with LTS (1.61 ± 0.22 mm and 1.56 ± 0.14 vs. 0.04 ± 0.12 mm; p < 0.01). LCR-SC and LCR-SC+ML decreased the MRD-2 more than the LTS (1.06 ± 0.26 and 1.50 ± 0.23 mm vs. 0.86 ± 0.1 mm; p < 0.01). All 3 procedures increased the lateral canthal height by less than 0.5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: LCR-SC is a safe and effective procedure for tightening the lower eyelids. It tightens both the upper and the lower cruri of the lateral canthal tendon, avoiding imbrication of the eyelids. LCR-SC obviates the need for a lateral canthal incision and widens the horizontal palpebral aperture. LCR-SC is more effective than LTS at decreasing the MRD-2. Concomitant midface elevation (LCR-SC+ML) further decreases MRD-2.

Orbital augmentation with injectable calcium hydroxylapatite for correction of postenucleation/evisceration socket syndrome.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the utility of injectable calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) for orbital volume augmentation to correct postenucleation/evisceration socket syndrome (PESS). METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all consecutive patients in our practice who received injectable calcium hydroxylapatite placed in the extraconal space to augment orbital volume was conducted. Patients with at least 6 months follow-up were included in the study. RESULTS: Among 26 patients with PESS who received injectable calcium hydroxylapatite for orbital volume augmentation, 15 individuals were identified with adequate follow-up. The mean amount of preoperative relative enophthalmos measured by Hertel exophthalmometry was 4 mm (range 0.5-7 mm). An average reduction of 2.4 mm of enophthalmos per syringe of filler was achieved. The mean follow-up obtained was 46 weeks (range 24-78 weeks). Most patients demonstrated clinical and aesthetic improvement that was observed to continue up to 1.5 years. Complications observed included anterior migration of filler, a peribulbar hemorrhage, and orbital discomfort. Two patients demonstrated little response to filler. CONCLUSIONS: Injectable calcium hydroxylapatite provides a novel, safe, simple, cost-effective technique to treat volume deficiency in the anophthalmic orbit. Augmentation achieved with this semipermanent filler has demonstrated a lasting effect in the orbit with little volume loss. Volume replacement can be titrated to the socket requirements. Correction of PESS using this technique may be limited in orbits that demonstrate significant fibrosis as a result of multiple surgeries, severe trauma, or radiation treatment.

Brow ptosis correction: a comparison of five techniques.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of five surgical techniques for brow ptosis repair including internal brow release (IBR), internal brow release with brow pexy (IBR + BP), internal brow release with corrugator and depressor supercilii removal (IBR + CDR), direct brow-lift (DB), and endoscopic brow-lift (EB). This is a retrospective study of 120 patients in which the preoperative and postoperative position of the medial, central, and lateral brow on both sides was measured. The brow was elevated 1.16 +/- 0.05 mm by IBR, 1.74 +/- 0.05 mm by IBR + BP, and 2.52 +/- 0.06 mm by IBR + CDR. IBR + BP was more effective than IBR in elevating the lateral brow ( P < 0.05). Removal of the medial brow depressors resulted in greater elevation of the medial and central brow than could be achieved with IBR or IBR + BP alone ( P < 0.01). EB resulted in the greatest amplitude of brow elevation (3.44 +/- 0.06 mm). Eyebrow-lifting surgery performed via the upper eyelid blepharoplasty incision prevents the lowering of brow position caused by blepharoplasty surgery alone. Brow pexy sutures are useful in enhancing elevation of the lateral brow, and removal of the medial brow depressors is useful in raising the medial and central brow.

Snip conjunctivoplasty for postoperative conjunctival chemosis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a surgical technique to treat postoperative conjunctival chemosis. DESIGN: Case report. RESULTS: Two cases of postoperative chemosis in which the conventional methods failed were successfully treated by snip conjunctivoplasty, without recurrence. CONCLUSION: Snip conjunctivoplasty is a simple and effective surgical approach to treat refractory postoperative chemosis.

Skin necrosis after calcium hydroxylapatite injection into the glabellar and nasolabial folds.

Calcium hydroxylapatite-induced skin necrosis occurred in 2 patients after injection in the glabella and the nasolabial fold, respectively. Supportive treatment with oral steroids, nitroglycerin paste, and warm compresses was initiated more than 48 hours after injection, and its role in recovery is uncertain. Both patients underwent microdermabrasion and used hydrocortisone ointment to flatten the scar, which resulted in gradual improvement with a reasonable cosmetic outcome 4 months after injection. This is the first report of calcium hydroxylapatite-induced skin necrosis. Injectors should be aware of this potential adverse event and counsel their patients appropriately.

Early versus late repair of orbital blowout fractures.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare early and late surgical repair of orbital blowout floor fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective, comparative interventional case series reviewed medical records of 50 consecutive patients who underwent unilateral orbital floor fracture repair in a 4-year period. Comparative analysis was performed between patients operated on within 2 weeks of injury and those operated on at a later stage. RESULTS: Assault, motor vehicle accidents, and sports injuries were the most common causes of injury. Surgery was performed due to inferior rectus muscle entrapment and limitations in up gaze in 20 (40%) patients or to prevent enophthalmos in cases with significant bony orbital expansion in 30 (60%) patients. After surgery, enophthalmos improved an average of 0.8 mm. Limitation in ocular motility improved after surgery but was statistically significant only in up gaze. Patients who underwent early repair (within 2 weeks) achieved less improvement in enophthalmos versus patients who underwent late repair (delta enophthalmos of 0.2 +/- 1.1 vs 1.3 +/- 1.9 mm, respectively; P = .02). CONCLUSION: In these patients, postoperative vertical ductions and postoperative enophthalmos improved after fracture repair. Surgery was associated with a low rate of postoperative complications. No apparent difference in surgical outcome was seen between early (within 2 weeks) and late surgical repair.

Facial nerve injury during external dacryocystorhinostomy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe weakness of the orbicularis oculi muscle after external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and propose an anatomic explanation for the complication. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen patients (13 female, 3 male) with a mean age of 60 years (median, 61 years; range, 34-85 years). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of consecutive patients who had nasolacrimal duct obstruction repair by external DCR. Patients were identified who developed postoperative orbicularis oculi muscle weakness that manifested as hypometric blink or lagophthalmos with or without punctate keratopathy on the operated side. Patient parameters collected included demographic data, type of incision, incision length, use of lacrimal stent, length of follow-up, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and time to resolution of clinical findings. Statistical analysis was performed using a 2-tailed Fisher exact test with clinical significance designated at alpha = 0.05. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Identification of patients with orbicularis oculi muscle weakness after external DCR, documentation of incision type, clinical findings, and recovery of function. RESULTS: Among 215 patients and 247 surgeries, 16 individuals (7.4%) were identified who demonstrated abnormalities of eyelid closure in the postoperative period after external DCR. Of these, 13 patients had lagophthalmos with or without hypometric blink and 3 patients had hypometric blink alone. Eleven patients underwent surgery through a nasojugal incision, 4 patients underwent surgery through a vertical incision, and 1 patient underwent surgery through an eyelid margin incision. The degree of postoperative lagophthalmos was on average 1.5 mm. Four patients developed punctate keratopathy. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 50 weeks (mean, 20 weeks). Resolution of lagophthalmos was seen on average by 14 weeks with the longest time to resolution of 32 weeks. Three individuals continued to have residual hypometric blink at the time of last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Damage to peripheral fibers of the zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve as they course through the medial canthal area to innervate the upper eyelid orbicularis oculi muscle may occur during external DCR surgery. Such injury may be responsible for orbicularis oculi muscle weakness manifesting as postoperative abnormal eyelid closure and lagophthalmos. In our cohort of patients, these findings were temporary and typically resolved in several months.

Acquired port wine stain of the upper eyelid after cluster headache.

A 69-year-old white man with a medical history of left-sided cluster headaches presented for evaluation of dermatochalasis. The left upper eyelid demonstrated red-pink, blanchable macules that coalesced in a patch. The lesion appeared after an episode of a cluster headache. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty permitted en bloc removal of most of the lesion. Histopathologic evaluation demonstrated aggregates of telangiectatic blood vessels in the papillary dermis consistent with the diagnosis of an acquired port wine stain. The authors report, to their knowledge, the first description of an acquired port wine stain associated with cluster headaches.

Cosmetic eyelid and facial surgery.

The goal of cosmetic surgery is to reverse anatomical changes that occur in the face with aging. It is a rapidly growing subdiscipline of ophthalmic plastic surgery and includes forehead, eyelid, mid-face, lower face, and neck surgery, most performed by ophthalmic plastic surgeons. The current article reviews updates in cosmetic eyelid and facial surgery, including minimally invasive techniques such as cable suspensions, injections, and fillers.