Frontalis suspension with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sheet for congenital ptosis repair

Abstract

Congenital ptosis with poor levator function is most often repaired with a frontalis suspension procedure. Autogenous fascia lata grafting is generally effective, with low rates of infection and granuloma formation. However, contraction of the grafted fascia lata may cause eyelash inversion, tarsal deformity, and/or lagophthalmos. Conversely, several synthetic suspensory materials have been used for frontalis suspension, among which polytetrafluoroethylene has been reported to be comparable to the fascia lata. However, in some studies using polytetrafluoroethylene strips or sutures, complications such as infection and granuloma formation were a significant problem. This study evaluated the outcomes of frontalis suspension with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sheet for congenital ptosis repair in 97 patients (130 eyelids). No ptosis recurrence was reported in an average follow-up of 31.6 months (range: 6-102 months). Six of the 130 eyelids (4.6%) had complications. Based on these results, frontalis suspension with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sheet for congenital ptosis repair can be considered safe and effective and be recommended for clinical use.

Keywords: Congenital ptosis; Frontalis suspension; Gore-Tex; Polytetrafluoroethylene.