Deep levator palpebrae superioris detachment during aponeurosis surgery via transcutaneous approach in ptosis correction

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of deep levator palpebrae superioris - Müller's muscle complex detachment from conjunctiva and other connective tissues in order to improve post operative lid opening and levator function for ptosis surgery via the transcutaneous approach. Methods: In this retrospective study, 23 patients (29 eyelids) were surgically treated for ptosis repair between 2003 and 2008. All surgery was performed by the same surgeon. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group (12 patients) consisted of patients who underwent deep levator dissection during surgery; the second group (11 patients), used as control group, consisted of patients treated without deep levator dissection. Postoperative lid opening was compared in the two groups using the Mann-Whitney non-parametric test. Results: The comparison between change in lid opening changes between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Deep levator detachment can be included among standard surgical steps during ptosis surgery via transcutaneous approach in order to improve postoperative lid opening and levator function. © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits réserv́s.