Double Rhomboid Suture Technique for Congenital Ptosis

J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2018 Mar 1;55(2):117-121. doi: 10.3928/01913913-20171101-01. Epub 2017 Dec 19.

Abstract

Purpose: Congenital ptosis is a troubling eye condition for pediatric ophthalmologists. There are many considerations to contemplate when deciding when to operate and which technique to use.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 69 pediatric patients treated for congenital ptosis using a double rhomboid frontalis sling with a nylon suture at a single tertiary care center.

Results: For patients with more than 6 months of follow-up, there were 38 patients with 46 primary surgeries (22 [58%] males and 16 [42%] females). The average age at the first surgery was 39.34 ± 33.18 months. There was a mean follow-up time of 51.87 ± 53.79 months. There were 7 children who needed one revision and 1 child who needed a second revision, equaling a 23.9% rate of revision. Patients who had surgery before the age of 3 years had a statistically significant likelihood of needing a second surgery (chi-square test = 7.246, P = .007, 95% confidence interval = 0.027 to 0.687). It was also statistically significant (P < .05) that, throughout childhood, older patients were less likely to need a revision.

Conclusions: A double rhomboid frontalis sling using a nylon suture is an effective technique to treat congenital ptosis. This technique is easy to master and has a low cost compared to techniques involving autografts and allografts. It is also important to advise the family of the likelihood of a second surgery if there is a need to operate at a young age. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2018;55(2):117-121.].

MeSH terms

  • Blepharoplasty / methods*
  • Blepharoptosis / congenital
  • Blepharoptosis / surgery*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Eyelids / surgery*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nylons
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Suture Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Sutures*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Nylons