Paralytic Lagophthalmos Rehabilitation With Gold Weight Implants

Abstract

Purpose: : we evaluate the effectiveness of the lower eye lid passive animation with gold weight implants insertion in cases of paralytic lagophthalmos.

Methods: : 26 patients presenting kerato–conjuntivitis secondary to facial nerve palsy underwent surgical treatment of lagophthalmos by a lower lid insertion of 1 to 1.6 g. heavy gold weight. The average post surgical follow–up was 2 years.

Results: : in all the treated cases kerato–conjuntivitis recovered within the first month. All patients were satisfied with both the aesthetic and functional results during first months of follow–up. In 5 cases prosthesis extrusion occurred within 6–8 months: in 3 cases prosthesis was successfully reimplanted whereas 2 patients refused new surgery.

Conclusions: : surgical treatment with gold weights in paralytic lagophthalmos is an effective technique able to provide in most patients good functionality with fewer complications.

Keywords: eyelid • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications • degenerations/dystrophies