Effect of the Simultaneous Operation of Levator Resection and Frontalis Suspension for Congenital Ptosis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine retrospectively if a simultaneous frontalis suspension could change the result of undercorrection observed during levator resection in congenital ptosis patients with poor levator functions. METHODS: Eight eyes in the present study were from 5 infants, 4 infants had congenital ptosis and 1 infant had blepharophimosis. The average age was 3.3 years (range 1.5 to 6.9 years). If the upper lid margin was not positioned on the superior limbus after performing levator resection under general anesthesia, the height of the upper lid margin was controlled by simultaneous frontalis suspension. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 29.8 months. After surgery on both eyes, all 8 cases showed good results and sudden relapse did not occur. Exposed corneal erosion was observed in 6 eyes, but with artificial tears, eye drops, and ointment there were significant improvements within 1 month in all cases. At final examinations, 6 out of 8 eyes showed excellent or good results; undercorrection in 2 eyes was observed and the lateral portion of ptosis in 1 eye was observed as an eye complication. CONCLUSIONS: If undercorrection caused by levator resection occurs in patients with congenital ptosis, the combination of frontalis suspension surgery may reduce undercorrection and any recurrence that might appear after surgery.