Folliculectomy: management in segmental trichiasis and distichiasis.
OBJECTIVE
To propose a new surgical technique as an alternative method for the correction of segmental trichiasis and distichiasis.


METHODS
An interventional case series reviewed the segmental trichiasis and distichiasis patients who were treated with folliculectomy in the Ophthalmology Department, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. The data was collected from January 1997 to December 2002. The history, clinical features and treatments were reviewed. Patients with the initial diagnosis of entropion were excluded.


RESULTS
Nine segmental trichiasis and distichiasis patients (13 eyes) were reviewed. Eight eyes underwent folliculectomy and one had folliculectomy with anterior lamellar recession. The follow-up time was 1-24 months. Nine of thirteen eyes (69.2%) were successfully treated with folliculectomy or folliculectomy with anterior lamellar recession. Four eyes needed second operations due to the recurrence of the eyelashes.


CONCLUSIONS
Folliculectomy revealed good results in trichiasis and distichiasis. It should be considered as an alternative technique because it is a simple and fast procedure.
Tirakunwichcha
Suppapong
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, 1873 Rama IV Rd, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. suppapong.T@chula.ac.th
Tinnangwattana
Uraiwul
U
Hiranwiwatkul
Parima
P
Rohitopakarn
Santipong
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005140:Eyelashes / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation