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Eyelid gold weight for treatment of lagophthalmus in patients with facial palsy

Introduction: Lagophthalmus in facial palsy must be treated in order to avoid ocular complications. The gold weight eyelid implant as an alternative to tarsorrhaphy has been studied with good results. Aim: The purpose of this report is to study the effects of the gold weight eyelid implants for treatment of lagophthalmus. Study design: clinical retrospective not randomized. Material and method: 59 patients with Lagophthalmus associated with facial paralysis of many causes underwent gold weight implantation and were studied retrospectively. Results: All patients achieved satisfactory eyelid closure and improvement of ocular symptoms. 8.5% of patients had implant extrusion and 5% had infection. The average time with the implant varied from 6 months to 6 years, being removed in 20.3% of patients with recover of facial palsy. Discussion: Many methods have been described for enhance corneal protection in patients with facial palsy with different degrees of success and acceptance by the patient. The gold weight eyelid loading is a simple easy technique with good cosmetic result. The average time with the implant is inconstant and the complications are rare. Conclusion: Gold weight eyelid implants in patients with facial palsy have good results for the treatment of lagophthalmus and prevention of ocular complications.

gold weight implant; lagophthalmus; facial palsy


ABORL-CCF Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial Av. Indianápolis, 740, 04062-001 São Paulo SP - Brazil, Tel./Fax: (55 11) 5052-9515 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revista@aborlccf.org.br