The role of frontalis orbicularis oculi muscle flap for correction of blepharoptosis with poor levator function

Ann Plast Surg. 2013 Dec:71 Suppl 1:S29-36. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000000043.

Abstract

On the basis of the close anatomical interdigitation between the longitudinal-oriented frontalis muscle and the horizontal-oriented orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM), frontalis OOM (FOOM) flap was developed to treat blepharoptosis. Retrospective study during an 11-year period, 66 patients with 81 poor levator function ptotic eyelids accepted FOOM flap shortening (65 lids; 80.2%) or double-breasted FOOM flap advancement (16 lids; 19.8%) to correct blepharoptosis. There were 51 (77.3%) patients with unilateral ptosis and 15 (22.7%) patients with bilateral ptosis. Severity of blepharoptosis included severe type in 72 (88.9%) lids, moderate type in 5 (6.2%) lids, and mild type in 4 (4.9%) lids. The underlying etiology included congenital origin in 43 (65.1%) patients, involutional change in 19 (28.8%) patients, and neurologic origin in 4 (6.1%) patients. Marginal reflex distance 1 and lid slit distance improved from -1.6 (2.0) to 3.3 (1.2) and 3.2 (2.0) to 7.2 (1.4) mm, respectively, after operation. The postoperative outcome includes good results in 54 (81.8%) patients, fair results in 10 (15.2%) patients, and poor results in 2 (3.0%) patients. The undercorrection or recurrence rate is 14.8%, and secondary revision rate is 11.1%. Positive Hering law is 17.6% among patients with unilateral ptosis. Overall patients' satisfaction rate is 95.1%. Both FOOM flap shortening and double-breasted FOOM flap advancement are effective to treat poor levator function blepharoptosis. Double-breasted FOOM flap advancement is highly recommended because of the more natural contour and minimal lagophthalmos postoperatively, because of the maximal preservation of OOM.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Blepharoptosis / congenital
  • Blepharoptosis / physiopathology
  • Blepharoptosis / surgery*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oculomotor Muscles / physiopathology
  • Postoperative Care
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surgical Flaps*
  • Tissue and Organ Harvesting
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult