Treatment of Children With Congenital Severe Blepharoptosis by Frontalis Aponeurosis Flap Advancement Under General Anesthesia in a Single Incision.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of frontalis aponeurosis flap advancement in children with congenital severe blepharoptosis.

METHODS: A total of 23 cases (25 eyes) of children who had congenital severe blepharoptosis and poor levator function (≤4 mm) and received frontalis aponeurosis flap advancement treatment in the Plastic Surgery Department of the Children's Hospital of Fudan University from January 1, 2013, to January 1, 2015, were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the postoperative effects.

RESULTS: All patients (age range, 6-27 months) were followed up for an average duration of 15.3 months. Twenty eyes (80%) had excellent effects, 2 eyes (8%) had good effects, and 3 eyes (12%) had poor effects. The average preoperative marginal reflex distance was 0.2 mm (-2 to 2 mm), and the postoperative average marginal reflex distance was 3.1 mm (1-4 mm). None of the patients showed hematoma, infection, keratohelcosis, symblepharon separation, ectropion, trichiasis, or other postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION: Frontalis aponeurosis flap advancement could be used to treat congenital severe blepharoptosis with good short-term effects.