title: Acquired ptosis: dehiscences and disinsertions. Are they real or iatrogenic?
abstract: Acquired ptosis has previously been felt to be due to a dehiscence or disinsertion of the levator aponeurosis. In the early years of levator surgery, the aponeurosis was often exposed by using blunt dissection. We have found that with a change in surgical technique, which eliminates blunt dissection, the incidence of aponeurotic defects decreases dramatically. Dehiscence and disinsertion may therefore be caused by traumatic surgical dissection of an attenuated aponeurosis.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Service, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Florida.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Tenzel
mesh_terms: D001763:Blepharoptosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005143:Eyelids / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D015994:Incidence; D009132:Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000150:complications*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000150:complications; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery