The Effect of Simplified Single Suture Aponeurotic Tuck in Ptosis Patients

Baek, Se Hyun; Park, Min Soo; Park, Hyung Jik

Abstract

PURPOSE
We conducted this study to evaluate the clinical efficacy of simplified single suture aponeurotic tuck technique and examine its long-term results in ptosis patients with levator function of over 7 mm. METHODS: For twenty patients (22 eyes) were noted to have ptosis from September 2000 to December 2001, we performed simplified single suture levator tuck technique to repair ptosis using a single 5-0 prolene suture. We performed tucking 1-2 mm higher than the contralateral side in patients with unilateral ptosis and same height in those with bilateral ptosis. Mean post-operative follow-up observation period was 6.8 months. 7 patients (7 eyes) had congenital ptosis and 13 patients (15 eyes) had acquired ptosis. Pre-operative and post-operative marginal reflex distance [MRD1] at week 1, month 1 and month 3 were measured to evaluate surgical outcome and post-operative complications. RESULTS: All the cases with congenital ptosis showed satisfactory surgical outcomes. On the contrary, 3 eyes with acquired ptosis who had shown unsatisfactory surgical outcomes received re-operation and showed satisfactory outcomes. 1 case with acquired ptosis had eyelid peaking, but was resolved with no further complications. The postoperative MRD1 was stabilized after the 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to predict post-operative outcome by performing simplified single stitch levator tuck for ptosis patients under local infiltrative anesthesia if the patients are cooperative. Simplified single stitch levator tuck had such advantages as short surgical time, convenient technique, minimal postoperative anatomical change in upper eyelid, and easiness to perform to re-operation.