Ptosis correction in the context of the treatment of external congenital ophthalmoplegia.

The results are reported of our operative experience with 22 cases of external congenital ophthalmoplegia. The familiality, the muscular enzymes and isoenzymes, and often the skeletal electromyography have been studied, with the latter three being significantly altered in most cases. The main indication for surgery is the need to improve the anomalous position of the hyperextended neck. In the presence of inherent ptosis, this is achieved by suspending the upper eyelid from the frontalis muscle by using an autogenous fascia lata. A review of the previously published reports on eyebrow suspension leads one to conclude that autogenous fascia lata is the best material for this purpose.