Folliculectomy: management in segmental trichiasis and distichiasis.

OBJECTIVE: To propose a new surgical technique as an alternative method for the correction of segmental trichiasis and distichiasis.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: An interventional case series reviewed the segmental trichiasis and distichiasis patients who were treated with folliculectomy in the Ophthalmology Department, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. The data was collected from January 1997 to December 2002. The history, clinical features and treatments were reviewed. Patients with the initial diagnosis of entropion were excluded.

RESULTS: Nine segmental trichiasis and distichiasis patients (13 eyes) were reviewed. Eight eyes underwent folliculectomy and one had folliculectomy with anterior lamellar recession. The follow-up time was 1-24 months. Nine of thirteen eyes (69.2%) were successfully treated with folliculectomy or folliculectomy with anterior lamellar recession. Four eyes needed second operations due to the recurrence of the eyelashes.

CONCLUSION: Folliculectomy revealed good results in trichiasis and distichiasis. It should be considered as an alternative technique because it is a simple and fast procedure.