Analysis of Postoperative Complications in Blepharoptosis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Many researches about various surgical method for blepharoptosis have already been introduced. But researches for complications after blepharoptosis correction is relatively insufficient. So, this study was performed to recognize common complications that arise depending on the severity of blepharoptosis, levator function and surgical method. METHODS: 250 patients who have undergone surgical treatment for blepharoptosis from 1987 to 2006 were analyzed in this study. Patients were categorized according to severity of blepharoptosis, levator function and surgical method that has been used. Complications after blepharoptosis correction were analyzed. RESULT: There occurred complications in 64 patients. The specifics are as following; undercorrection 22, asymmetry 13, overcorrection 12, lagophthalmos 4, abnormal eyelid contour 4, exposure keratitis 3, ectropion 2, inclusion cyst 2, infection 1 and conjunctival prolapse 1. Among above patients, 3 patients had two kinds of complications. 21 patients underwent secondary surgery due to complication. CONCLUSION: Evaluating the outcomes of the secondary surgery, the early correction was better than the late correction. The most of the complications were recovered through conservative and surgical treatments. The most of the complications (47 patients) were undercorrection, asymmetry, overcorrection and took 73.4% of the total complications. As the blepharoptosis became severe or levator function became poorer, the rate of complications became higher. According to the operation methods, most of the complications occurred in levator operation, frontalis transfer and OOM flap.