Abstract
Purpose:
To examine the histopathology of patients who have undergone temporary tarsorrhaphy.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review was performed on 87 patients who had undergone a temporary tarsorrhaphy between February 2009 and September 2012. Of these 87 records, pathology specimens were sent after temporary tarsorrhaphy placement in 4 patients.
Results:
The mean length of time from first temporary tarsorrhaphy to path specimen was 0.71 years (SD: 0.67). The mean number of temporary tarsorrhaphies prior to path specimen was 2.75 (SD:1.5). The suture material used in the procedures was 4-0 silk (N=2), 5-0 prolene (n=1), and both 4-0 silk and 5-0 prolene (n=1). All four patients were found to have signs of chronic inflammation on pathology report.
Conclusions:
Our results indicate that the temporary tarsorrhaphy procedure is not histopathologically benign. Given the chronic inflammation caused by tarsorrhaphies, other alternatives may have advantages. Additionally, temporary tarsorrhaphies have multiple side effects including premature opening of the tarsorrhaphy, trichiasis, and pyogenic granuloma. In patients in whom eyelid closure is expected to be temporary, alternatives to temporary tarsorrhaphies, such as botulinum toxin or a temporary eyelid closure applique, can be considered. Future strides in temporary eyelid closure are needed to better treat this relatively common ophthalmic problem.
Keywords: 636 pathobiology