Correction of Lowerlid Entropion by Using Skin-tarsal Fixation Method

Hong, Jung Soo; Kim, Han Koo; Kim, Woo Seob; Kim, Seung Hong

Abstract

For its lowerlid entropion correction, nonsurgical eyelid suture or surgical eyelid suture can be employed. Different types of surgical eyelid suture such as the Hotz method and the Callahan method, are generally performed, but were not sufficient for correcting of entropion. In our hospital we performed modified skin-tarsal fixation on 15 patients, 5 male and 10 female from January 20, 1999 to December 16, 2002. We corrected lower eyelid entropion with the excision of the skin and orbicularis oculi muscle and buried suture of tarsal plate and dermis which is a variant of the Callahan method. All the patients were satisfied with the operation results, and there was no case of recurrence of the lower eyelid pricking the cornea. During the 6 months period after the operation, the lower eyelids slightly turned inward but there was no further progression. The correction was performed excessively, therefore there was no case of recurrence after the operation and the results were satisfactory. There developed a dimple at the suture margin caused by skin contraction but it usually disappeared within 2 months after the operation. To avoid recurrence and to achieve satisfactory results, the orbicularis oculi muscle must be totally resected at the ciliary margin. We resected ciliary as well as pretarsal portion of orbicularis oculi muscle. Also, since most of the recurrences are originated from the medial side, the medial portion of skin flap must be tightly fixed to avoid recurrence and the upper part of the dermis should be fixed tightly to the lower border of the tarsal plate.