Involutional lower eyelid entropion: combined Wheeler's and Wedge resection of tarsal plate.
BACKGROUND
Involutional entropion, a common eyelid condition, has different methods of surgical correction and attendant variable recurrence rates, depending to a large degree on the method used.


OBJECTIVE
To describe and evaluate a modified technique of entropion repair where the Wheeler's method is combined with wedge resection of the tarsal plate.


METHODS
This was a chart review study of 49 patients who had the modified technique carried out to correct their involutional entropion. The technique essentially involves dissecting and separating the lower lid pre-tarsal orbicularis muscle from the tarsal plate, resecting a down-base triangular wedge of the tarsus followed by shortening the orbicularis and anchoring it to the tarsal plate superiorly.


RESULTS
Over the three and a half-year review period, 54 eyelids of 49 patients underwent the procedure to correct their lower eyelid entropion. Of these, 28(57%) were females and 21(43%) males with a mean age of 73.5 years. The mean follow up period was 30.3 months. One (1.9%) recurrence was recorded in all the cases during the follow-up period. Complications were minimal.


CONCLUSIONS
The combined Wheeler and wedge resection of the tarsal plate produces very good post-operative results and can be used in primary involutional entropion or as the procedure of choice if an initial different surgical technique used fails.
Olali
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C
Royle Eye Department, Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, England. akikio771@hotmail.com
Burton
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V
Samalila
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E
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019882:Blepharoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D004774:Entropion / Q000601:surgery*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome