Gold weight implantation for facial palsy at King Hussein Medical Center

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the outcome of upper eyelid loading with gold weight implant in patients with lagophthalmos due to facial palsy. The indications, results and complications were investigated. A retrospective observational study that was conducted at King Hussein Medical Center between January 2005 and June 2008 on 16 patients with facial palsy of different etiologies. Inclusion criteria included lagophthalmous of more than 5mm, and facial palsy of more than 6 months duration. Degrees of lagophthalmos and corneal coverage were assessed pre- and post- operatively. Follow-up period ranged between six months and three years. The mean age of patients was 57.2 years. The main cause of facial palsy was post cerebellopontine angle tumor surgery [10 patients]. Other causes were Bell's palsy [5 patients], trauma [one patient]. The degree of lagophthalmos improved from 5.8 mm to 0.8 mm on average. Corneal coverage improved from 69% to 99%. No serious complications occurred. Upper lid gold weight loading is an effective and safe procedure in patients with facial palsy lagophthalmos with minimal complications