Results of Surgical Treatment of Lagophthalmos in Facial Nerve Paralysis in ENT Department University Hospital in Košice – a Review of 50 Cases Lagophthalmos

Summary

Objective:
The aim of this study was to analyze the results of surgical treatment of lagophthalmos, in facial nerve paralysis in the group of 50 patients, by the insertion of the gold weight implant into the upper eyelid performed in the ENT Department University Hospital in Košice. The objective of the work is evaluated postoperative complications and the treatment effectiveness regarding functionality and the complete eye closure.

Methods:
The patients suffering from lagophthalmos underwent gold weight implantation after unsuccessful conservative therapy. The procedure was carried out under local anesthesia using the standard two-layer closing surgical technique. The patients suffering from ectropion underwent lower eyelid blepharoplasty for optimal benefit of the surgical therapy.

Results:
In the period of 2003-2016, 50 patients suffering from facial nerve paralysis grade IV.-VI. according House-Brackmann classification, underwent gold weight implantation into the upper eyelid, and 21 patients of the group underwent lower eyelid blepharoplasty. In 5 cases the gold weight implant was removed for facial nerve recovery. Postoperatively, lagophthalmos was improved, the eye closure gap ranged from 0 to 3mm at the maximum effort. All patients were satisfied with the effect of the surgical treatment. No complication occurred in our group of patients.

Conclusion:
The surgical treatment of lagophthalmos using gold weight implant into the upper eyelid is accompanied with a low rate of complications, proving the method safety and reliability. Early and correct treatment of lagophthalmos is very important to prevent an eye from serious sequela leading to loss of the vision.

Keywords:
rehabilitation of facial nerve paralysis, lagophthalmos, blepharoplasty, gold weight implant