Deep levator palpebrae superioris detachment during aponeurosis surgery via transcutaneous approach in ptosis correction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of deep levator palpebrae superioris - Müller's muscle complex detachment from conjunctiva and other connective tissues in order to improve post operative lid opening and levator function for ptosis surgery via the transcutaneous approach.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 23 patients (29 eyelids) were surgically treated for ptosis repair between 2003 and 2008. All surgery was performed by the same surgeon. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group (12 patients) consisted of patients who underwent deep levator dissection during surgery; the second group (11 patients), used as control group, consisted of patients treated without deep levator dissection. Postoperative lid opening was compared in the two groups using the Mann-Whitney non-parametric test.

RESULTS

The comparison between change in lid opening changes between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Deep levator detachment can be included among standard surgical steps during ptosis surgery via transcutaneous approach in order to improve postoperative lid opening and levator function.