AUTOGENOUS PALMARIS LONGUS TENDON AS FRONTALIS SUSPENSION MATERIAL FOR PTOSIS CORRECTION IN CHILDREN

PURPOSE: To determine the safety and efficacy of autogenous palmaris l ongus tendon as a sling material in frontalis suspension surgery for p tosis correction in children. METHODS: In a prospective study, the aut hors evaluated 15 frontalis sling suspension surgeries using palmaris longus tendon in 14 consecutive children with congenital ptosis. The m ethod of harvesting the palmaris longus tendon is described in derail. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 4.7 years (range, 2 to 7 ye ars). At a mean follow-up of 30 months (range, 20 to 40 months), all p totic eyelids were successfully corrected with good final lid position . No recurrence of ptosis was encountered. In one eye, knot slippage o f the sling was related to upper eyelid trauma, which was readily repa ired. Otherwise, no exposure keratitis, wound infection, eyelid contou r abnormality, or ptosis overcorrection occurred. There were no compli cations associated with the palmaris longus tendon donor site, CONCLUS ION: Frontalis suspension with autogenous palmaris longus tendon appea rs to be an effective treatment for congenital ptosis with poor levato r function in children. Its use as an alternative material to fascia l ata for sling surgery in children can be considered. (C) 1998 by Elsev ier Science Inc, All rights reserved.