Spacer Graft Combined with Canthal Sling in Paralytic Ectropion

Ahn, Sung Yul; Park, Hyang Joon

Abstract

Lower eyelid retraction and ectropion is a result of two factors; (1) weakened intrinsic forces associated with senile change or (2) from extrinsic forces by the augmented distraction activity as a result from scar contracture after surgery, laser therapy, or trauma. Facial nerve palsy, in patients with leprosy, causes paralysis of the orbicularis muscle. Its antagonizing muscles, namely, the levator of the upper lid and the capsulopalpebral fascia of the lower lid, function as normal. This counterbalance results in lagophthalmos and retraction of the eyelids. Conventional surgical methods used to correct the ectropion and retraction of the lower lid include lateral canthoplasty, lateral canthopexy, lateral tarsal strip procedure and medial tarsorrhaphy. Recently the use of spacer graft has been incorporated in treating lower eyelid retraction. The use of spacer grafts creates separation between the tarsal plate and the capsulopalpebral fascia, to introduce materials like palatal mucoperiosteum, conchal cartilage or AlloDerm into the space between the two structures. In this study, we designed as AlloDerm or deep temporal fascia graft to function not only as a spacer graft but also as canthal sling. The use of a long spacer graft-sling to supplement the canthal sling showed superior results in elevating the lower eyelid and reducing ectropion. The use of the spacer graft in this method is more effective than other conventional methods.