Management of periocular post burn scarring in the epileptics.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the clinical presentation and management of patients with epilepsy presenting with periocular post burn scarring.


METHODS
Prospective and descriptive study.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi from September 1999 to September 2002.


METHODS
This study included 23 patients who had epilepsy and presented with periocular post-burn scarring to the eye department for management. All patients had contractures of their lids with variable amounts of corneal scarring and damaged to the eye ball. The surgical procedure performed consisted of release of contracture, horizontal lid shortening and application of free skin graft.


RESULTS
There were 18 (78.26%) female and 5 (21.73%) male patients. The age range was from 18 to 45 years with a mean of 28 years. In 17 (73.91%) patients, lid contracture was released to cover their eyeballs. In 6 (26.08%) patients the eyeball was lost due to late presentation.


CONCLUSIONS
There should be a high index of suspicion in facial burns for ophthalmic damage and early referral to an ophthalmologist should be made to prevent complications. Early release of contracture with application of full or partial thickness skin grafts is advisable.
Cheema
Alyscia M
AM
Department of Eye, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi.
Saeed
Mahmood
M
Ghani
Abdul
A
Akhter
Syed Wasim
SW
D000328:Adult; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000601:surgery*; D003286:Contracture / Q000601:surgery*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications*; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016038:Skin Transplantation