Orbicularis oculi myo-osseous fixation: a new treatment for benign essential blepharospasm and blepharospasm associated with diffuse facial dystonia (meige syndrome).

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

This article describes a novel surgical procedure, myo-osseous fixation, as an adjunct therapy for patients with reduced or poor response to repeated botulinum toxin injections for essential blepharospasm and Meige syndrome.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The small-incision, rapidly healing, rapidly performed technique uses self-drilling titanium screws tightly engaged with a compression wrench. The screws fixate the periorbital orbicularis oculi muscle to bone, creating mechanical resistance to outer portions of the orbicularis muscle involved in debilitating involuntary contractions.

RESULTS

Eleven of the treated 12 patients experienced immediate improvement in function. Each responding patient noted enhanced effect of subsequent botulinum toxin injections at previously ineffective doses. The benefit was substantial and sustained for 6 months in 9 of 12 patients. Decreased brow depression during forced closure, forced frown, and brow elevation at rest was apparent in all patients postoperatively. Although the brow elevation effect was reduced after 6 months, reduced brow depression during forced closure still was easily demonstrated in most patients. Complications included a nodular bump over the brow, more commonly found when large titanium screws were used, transient headache, and easily removed dislodged screw.

CONCLUSION

Initial data suggest that this procedure appears safe, well tolerated, and useful in the treatment of patients with essential blepharospasm and Meige syndrome responding poorly to botulinum toxin therapy.