Standardized suture placement for mini-invasive ptosis surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To report a refinement of small-incision external levator advancement with a standardized method for suture placement for correction of acquired blepharoptosis and 1 surgeon's results with this technique.


METHODS
Retrospective medical record review of data from all patients with unilateral or bilateral acquired blepharoptosis who underwent small-incision external levator advancement from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2011.


RESULTS
Ninety-two eyelids from 66 patients with acquired blepharoptosis were treated with small-incision external levator advancement with uniform suture placement. Forty patients underwent unilateral surgery and 26 underwent bilateral surgery. The mean preoperative margin-to-reflex distance was 0.70 mm. The mean postoperative margin-to-reflex distance was 2.95 mm. Symmetry was achieved in 49 patients (74%) on the basis of a less than 1-mm difference in margin-to-reflex distance. When stratified by unilateral ptosis repair vs bilateral ptosis repair, bilateral ptosis repair achieved greater symmetry on average (81% vs 70%). Nine patients underwent revision. There were only 2 postoperative complications: one was postoperative upper eyelid bleeding and the other was exposure keratopathy.


CONCLUSIONS
The simplified method of suture placement for small-incision external levator advancement is an effective, safe, and efficient option for acquired ptosis correction.
Allure Facial Laser Center and Medispa, Kirkland, Washington, USA.
Audrey E
AE
Ahuero
Bryan J
BJ
Winn
Bryan S
BS
Sires
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019882:Blepharoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D001763:Blepharoptosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult