Caruncular fixation in medial canthal tendon repair: the minimally invasive purse string suture for tendinous laxity and medial ectropion.

PURPOSE: To describe a surgical technique for repair of medial ectropion that simply and reliably addresses tendinous laxity and punctal eversion.

METHODS: Prospective, single-blind, consecutive case study of 54 patients (79 eyes) by 3 surgeons. The subject population consisted of 33 males and 21 females, with a mean age of 81 years (SD = 9, range = 64-97). The presenting mechanisms of ectropion were as follows: cicatricial (n = 10), paralytic (n = 1), involutional (n = 62), mechanical (n = 3), and congenital (n = 3). Ectropion and punctal eversion was surgically addressed by use of a purse string suture that incorporated closure of a medial spindle incision and deep fixation to the base of the caruncle.

RESULTS: The average postoperative follow-up period was 147 days (SD = 291, range 8-2,352). Sixty-four eyes had a presenting complaint of tearing (81%), with 50 eyes (78%) achieving complete resolution (p = 0.0001). Eyelid malposition was determined to be anatomically corrected in 34 of 35 eyes (97%, p = 0.0001). Four of the 79 operated eyelids had recurrence of ectropion (5%). All other reported complications were minor, resolved without sequalae.

CONCLUSION: The technique demonstrated safety, efficacy, and reproducibility, regardless of ectropion mechanism. Incorporation of a purse string suture between the lower eyelid portion of the medial canthal tendon and the caruncle produces a reliable posterior-superior fixation parallel to the vectors of the posterior limb of the medial canthal tendon. This technique is equally effective as a primary correction method or when used in combination with other procedures.