Aponeurotic ptosis repair under local anesthesia. Prediction of results from operative lid height.

The unpredictability of acquired ptosis repair is a difficult problem. Aponeurotic ptosis repair may be performed under local anesthesia, and past reports have suggested that operative lid position may be used to predict the final result. The authors prospectively studied 20 aponeurotic repairs under local anesthesia for patients with acquired ptosis and normal levator function. Photographs were taken during surgery, 1 week after surgery, and 3 months after surgery. Statistical analysis of vertical lid fissure measurements demonstrated a linear relationship between operative lid position and the 3-month result. When operative lid height was significantly greater than 10 mm, then a slight postoperative rise was observed, but when operative lid height was significantly less than 10 mm, then a slight postoperative fall was observed. Lid position at 1 week proved to be an excellent predictor of the 3-month result, establishing a reasonable basis for intervention in cases of overcorrection or undercorrection.