Upper lid crease approach for margin rotation in trachomatous cicatricial entropion without external sutures.

PURPOSE: To describe the use of a lid crease incision for upper eyelid margin rotation in cicatricial entropion combining internal traction on the anterior lamella, tarsotomy, and tarsal overlap without external sutures. METHODS: Surgical description: The main steps of the procedure consisted of exposure of the entire tarsal plate up to the eyelashes followed by tarsotomy through the conjunctiva. A double-armed 6.0 polyglactin suture was then passed through the distal tarsal fragment to the marginal section of the orbicularis oculi muscle. As the sutures were tied, the distal tarsus advanced over the marginal section, and traction was exerted on the marginal strip of the orbicularis muscle. There were no bolsters or external knots. The pretarsal skin-muscle flap was closed with a 6.0 plain gut suture. RESULTS: We used this procedure at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia from 2013 to 2014. Sixty upper lids of 40 patients (23 women and 17 men) were operated on, with an age range of 44-99 years [mean ± standard deviation (SD) = 70.9 ± 13.01 years]. Bilateral surgery was performed on 21 patients. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 12 months (mean 3.0 ± 2.71 months). Forty percent of the patients (24 lids) had more than 3 months' follow-up. The postoperative lid margin position was good in all cases. Trichiasis (two lashes) was observed in only one patient with unilateral entropion on the medial aspect of the operated lid. CONCLUSIONS: The upper lid margin can be effectively rotated through a lid crease incision with internal sutures. The technique combines the main mechanisms of the Wies and Trabut approaches and avoids the use of bolsters or external sutures, which require a second consultation to be removed. Some other lid problems, such as ptosis, retraction, or dermatochalasis, can be concomitantly addressed during the procedure.

The Versatile Lid Crease Approach to Upper Eyelid Margin Rotation.

Lid margin rotational procedures have been used to correct cicatricial trachomatous entropion since the 19(th) century. There are two basic types of surgeries used for lid margin rotation. The first type is based on through-and-through approach combining tarsotomy and the use of sutures on the anterior lamella. The second type of surgery was suggested by Trabut, who proposed a tarsal advancement by posterior approach. We demonstrate that using a lid crease incision combines the basic mechanisms of the anterior and posterior approaches and in addition, addresses a variety of lid problems commonly found in the aged population with cicatricial entropion. After tarsal plate exposure, a tarsotomy through conjunctiva is performed as described by Trabut. Then, instead of using external sutures secured by bolsters, internal absorbable sutures can be used to simultaneously advance the distal tarsal fragment and exert strong tension on the marginal orbicularis muscle. Sixty lids of 40 patients underwent surgery with a lid crease incision. The follow-up ranged from 1 to 12 months (mean 3.0 months ± 2.71). Forty percent of the patients (24 lids) had more than 3 months of follow-up. Adequate margin rotation was achieved in all lids but one that showed a medial eyelash touching the cornea.

Upper lid crease approach for margin rotation in trachomatous cicatricial entropion without external sutures / Abordagem via sulco palpebral superior para a rotação marginal no entrópio cicatricial tracomatoso sem o emprego de suturas externas

ABSTRACT Purpose: To describe the use of a lid crease incision for upper eyelid margin rotation in cicatricial entropion combining internal traction on the anterior lamella, tarsotomy, and tarsal overlap without external sutures. Methods: Surgical description: The main steps of the procedure consisted of exposure of the entire tarsal plate up to the eyelashes followed by tarsotomy through the conjunctiva. A double-armed 6.0 polyglactin suture was then passed through the distal tarsal fragment to the marginal section of the orbicularis oculi muscle. As the sutures were tied, the distal tarsus advanced over the marginal section, and traction was exerted on the marginal strip of the orbicularis muscle. There were no bolsters or external knots. The pretarsal skin-muscle flap was closed with a 6.0 plain gut suture. Results: We used this procedure at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia from 2013 to 2014. Sixty upper lids of 40 patients (23 women and 17 men) were operated on, with an age range of 44-99 years [mean ± standard deviation (SD) = 70.9 ± 13.01 years]. Bilateral surgery was performed on 21 patients. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 12 months (mean 3.0 ± 2.71 months). Forty percent of the patients (24 lids) had more than 3 months' follow-up. The postoperative lid margin position was good in all cases. Trichiasis (two lashes) was observed in only one patient with unilateral entropion on the medial aspect of the operated lid. Conclusions: The upper lid margin can be effectively rotated through a lid crease incision with internal sutures. The technique combines the main mechanisms of the Wies and Trabut approaches and avoids the use of bolsters or external sutures, which require a second consultation to be removed. Some other lid problems, such as ptosis, retraction, or dermatochalasis, can be concomitantly addressed during the procedure.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever uma técnica de rotação marginal superior para a correção do entrópio cicatricial combinando incisão via sulco palpebral, tarsotomia e tração na lamela anterior sem o emprego de suturas externas. Métodos: Técnica cirúrgica. Os passos críticos da cirurgia incluem exposição completa da superfície anterior do tarso até a linha dos cílios e tarsotomia horizontal a 3 mm da margem palpebral, produzindo dois segmentos tarsais, marginal e distal. O fragmento distal é avançado sobre o marginal por meio de 3 suturas biagulhadas absorvíveis 6.0 passadas entre a margem do segmento tarsal distal e o músculo orbicular marginal. Dessa maneira, além da superposição tarsal as suturas tracionam o orbicular marginal evertendo simultaneamente a margem palpebral e a linha ciliar. Nenhum fio é exteriorizado. O retalho pretarsal miocutâneo era fechado com suturas de catugt 6,0. Resultados: Resultados: A técnica descrita foi utilizada em hospital terciário na Arábia Saudita, em 2013 e 2014. Sessenta pálpebras superiores de 40 pacientes (23 mulheres e 17 homens) foram operadas. A idade dos pacientes variou de 44 a 99 anos (média= 70,9 ± 13,01 anos). A cirurgia foi bilateral em 21 pacientes. O seguimento variou de 1 a 12 meses (média= 3,0 ± 2,71 meses). Em 24 pálpebras (40%) o seguimento foi superior a 3 meses. A posição da margem palpebral foi considerada boa em todos os casos. Somente 1 paciente com entrópio unilateral apresentou recidiva da triquíase (2 cílios). Conclusão: A margem palpebral de pacientes com entrópio cicatricial pode ser evertida utilizando-se incisão no sulco palpebral e suturas internas. A técnica descrita combina os princípios das cirurgias de Wies e Trabut e tem como principais vantagens incisão cosmética no sulco palpebral e o não uso de suturas externas. Adicionalmente, o acesso pelo sulco palpebral permite a correção de condições associadas, como dermatocálase, ptose ou retração palpebral.