Prediction of postoperative eyelid height after frontalis suspension using autogenous fascia lata for pediatric congenital ptosis.

PURPOSE: To predict eyelid height after frontalis suspension using autogenous fascia lata for congenital ptosis.

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational case series.

METHODS

Eighty eyes of 54 children who underwent frontalis suspension using autogenous fascia lata were included. The amount of intraoperative eyelid lift and the postoperative change in eyelid height were assessed 6 months after surgery by reviews of photographs and medical records. The amount of operative eyelid lift was measured from 2 different baselines, and each amount was compared with the amount of real change in eyelid height after surgery. The difference between those was measured.

RESULTS

The postoperative eyelid height stabilized 3 months after surgery. The average amount of operative eyelid lift was 5.91 mm with anesthesia-induced lagophthalmos and 3.51 mm without. The amount of real change in eyelid height after surgery was 3.24 ± 1.14 mm. In less severe ptosis (< 3 mm of lift), an average operative lift of 2.03 mm resulted in 2.53 mm of elevation, whereas in more severe ptosis (≥ 4 mm of lift), an average operative lift of 3.98 mm resulted in only 3.72 mm of elevation 6 months after surgery. The preoperative palpebral fissure (P = .002) and anesthesia-induced lagophthalmos (P < .001) were significant factors influencing postoperative eyelid height.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative eyelid height may predicted be more accurately by compensating for anesthesia-induced lagophthalmos and adjusting the palpebral fissure to be larger than the desired eyelid height for patients with more severe ptosis.