title: Comparison of the outcomes of internal-fixation versus bolster-suture tarsorrhaphy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the outcomes of 2 techniques of permanent tarsorrhaphy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical records of 30 patients who underwent tarsorrhaphy at a single university-based hospital clinic were reviewed. Patients underwent permanent tarsorrhaphy because they had a nonresolving facial palsy, neurotrophic keratopathy unresponsive to medical treatment, or both. Permanent tarsorrhaphies were carried out by either internal fixation tarsorrhaphy or rubber bolster suture tarsorrhaphy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall success (100%) of internal fixation tarsorrhaphy on 12 patients (ages, 42.0 +/- 17.6 years) was significantly better than that of rubber bolster suture tarsorrhaphy (44.4%) on 18 patients (ages, 40.6 +/- 25.5 years) (Mann-Whitney U test, p = 0.01). Of the 10 patients who had unsuccessful outcomes, 8 (80%) had their eyelids separated within the first 3 postoperative weeks. Patients whose surgical outcomes were deemed successful were followed for a period of 21.4 +/- 10.7 weeks (range, 11-52 weeks).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Internal fixation tarsorrhaphy is associated with a more favorable outcome than rubber bolster suture tarsorrhaphy in patients who require permanent eyelid closure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mocan
authors.forename: Ceren
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Erdogan-Poyraz
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Erdener
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orhan
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Irkeç
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome