Early correction of severe unilateral infant ptosis with the mersilene mesh sling

Abstract

Ten consecutive cases of severe unilateral congenital ptosis were surgically corrected before 1 year of age (range 3-11 months) in an attempt to achieve early functional and cosmetic improvement. In all cases, a frontalis suspension using Mersilene mesh was performed. With a mean follow-up of 40.3 months (range 33-54 months), all patients achieved normal or near normal eyelid position and all had their chin-up head posture resolved. One patient developed a mild exposure keratitis that was treated successfully with topical antibiotics and lubricants. Our findings suggest that the Mersilene mesh sling has good potential for ptosis management in infants who are too young for fascial harvesting. However, a larger series with a longer follow-up period is required before the eventual safety and efficacy of the Mersilene mesh sling can be properly ascertained.