Purpose:
In 1991, Dr. Tse described a modified tarsal ectropion repair technique in which the lower eyelid retractors are reattached to the tarsal plate through a transconjunctival approach and the sutures are then passed out through the skin. This last unique step adds a rotational force and is meant to encourage the eyelid to heal in an upright position. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the success rate of Dr. Tse’s technique in our own practice.
Methods:
Retrospective chart review was done of all patients diagnosed with tarsal ectropion who underwent Dr. Tse’s transconjunctival tarsal ectropion repair technique. Information regarding patient demographics, follow up time, complications, recurrence of ectropion and need for further surgeries was obtained.
Results:
Seven eyelids of five patients were repaired using Dr. Tse’s technique during this time period. There was one female and four male patients. Their ages ranged from seventy-four to eighty-nine years old. One patient (single lid) had undergone multiple entropion repairs previously. Another patient (single lid) had undergone ectropion repair previously. Six of seven eyelids had associated lower lid laxity requiring a tarsal strip procedure at the same time. Two patients required epilation at the time of surgery. Mean follow up time was two months, with a range of 1.25 - 4 months. Of the seven eyelids, one had recurrence of her ectropion at two and a half months after the initial surgery. She was scheduled for further repair but passed away prior to surgery. With the exception of the one case of recurrence, there were no documented complications. Those patients that required epilation at the time of surgery did not require further epilation on follow up.
Conclusions:
Dr. Tse’s technique for tarsal ectropion shows promising results in the short term. A larger study with longer follow up periods needs to be performed to further evaluate the efficacy of this technique.