A modified Fox pentagon technique performed using a polytetrafluoroethylene sling in frontalis suspension to treat blepharophimosis syndrome

Outcome of silicone sling frontalis suspension in children with simple congenital and complex ptosis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the outcome of silicone sling frontalis suspension (FS) surgery in children with simple congenital ptosis and children with complex ptosis.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

All pediatric patients who underwent silicone sling FS surgery between 2009 and 2020 at a single centre.

METHODS

Patients were divided based on etiology into simple congenital ptosis and complex congenital ptosis. Pre- and postoperative margin-to-reflex distance (MRD₁) measurements were determined from clinical photographs. Main outcome measures were assessed as differences in improvement in eyelid height and reoperation rate between the groups.

RESULTS

Two-hundred and eight children were included: 139 simple and 69 complex cases, with 83 females (40%). Mean (±SD) age at intervention was 1.9 ± 2.9 years. Complex cases included blepharophimosis epicanthus inversus syndrome (n = 35), Marcus Gunn jaw-winking syndrome (n = 12), oculomotor palsy (n = 8), congenital fibrosis of extraocular muscles (n = 3), chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (n = 3), and others. Mean MRD₁ improved by an average of 1.6 mm in both groups. Repeat ptosis correction was performed in 50 of 171 patients (29%) without a history of failed ptosis procedures, and this rate was similar between simple and complex cases. Children under 3 years of age had higher rates of repeat ptosis repair than older children (n = 59 of 175 [34%] vs n = 5 of 33 [15%]; p = 0.03, χ² test).

CONCLUSIONS

Silicone sling FS has a favourable outcome in 70% of pediatric patients. Preoperative and final MRD₁ and reoperation rates were similar between both groups, suggesting that despite the higher complexity in atypical cases, the outcome is similar.

Blepharophimosis, Ptosis, and Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome: A Simple Remedy for Challenging Cases

A 14-year-old male presented to the outpatient department of ophthalmology with complaints of visual impairment. The patient was assessed with a detailed history and physical examination. Marked amblyopia was observed on inspection, and his best-corrected vision was 6/36 in both eyes with no further improvement. Both the anterior and posterior segments of the eyes were normal. A diagnosis of blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) was suspected. Surgery was initiated in two stages, with the first stage utilizing Mustarde's double Z-plasty to correct the epicanthus inversus and telecanthus. The second stage was done three months later, involving a tarsofrontalis sling with prolene sutures to correct ptosis. The success of this operation speaks to the efficacy of a two-stage procedure for remedying a syndrome as complex as BPES.

The Genetic and Clinical Features of FOXL2-Related Blepharophimosis, Ptosis and Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome

Blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is a craniofacial disorder caused by heterozygous variants of the forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) gene. It shows autosomal dominant inheritance but can also occur sporadically. Depending on the mutation, two phenotypic subtypes have been described, both involving the same craniofacial features: type I, which is associated with premature ovarian failure (POF), and type II, which has no systemic features. The genotype-phenotype correlation is not fully understood, but it has been hypothesised that type I BPES involves more severe loss of function variants spanning the whole gene. Type II BPES has been linked to frameshift mutations that result in elongation of the protein rather than complete loss of function. A mutational hotspot has been identified within the poly-alanine domain, although the exact function of this region is still unknown. However, the BPES subtype cannot be determined genetically, necessitating informed genetic counselling and careful discussion of family planning advice in view of the associated POF particularly as the patient may still be a child. Following puberty, female patients should be referred for ovarian reserve and response assessment. Oculofacial features can be managed with surgical intervention and regular monitoring to prevent amblyopia.