Mini-invasive ptosis surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Levator aponeurosis advancement is an effective technique that is routinely used to correct aponeurogenic ptosis. The standard technique involve a skin incision of the upper eyelid crease for the entire length of the eyelid, with or without associated blepharoplasty. We believe that, in a selected group of patients, a less invasive approach with an upper lid skin incision of only 0.8 cm is equally effective for the final result and offers several advantages compared to the traditional technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 48 patients affected by involutional ptosis with good levator function that underwent unilateral or bilateral levator advancement ptosis repair through a mini-invasive approach. Final outcome measures included postoperative eyelid height, contour, symmetry, periocular edema, surgical time and visibility of the incision site.

RESULTS: The mini-invasive approach for the correction of involutional ptosis resulted in our hands as effective and reliable as the traditional technique, required a shorter surgical time, offered an improved early post-operative course with minimal bruising and swelling and produced no visible scar.

CONCLUSIONS: This mini-invasive ptosis correction technique replaced in our practice the traditional approach for the treatment of a selected subset of patients affected by aponeurogenic ptosis.