A modified one-stage early correction of blepharophimosis syndrome using tutopatch slings

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of a one-stage early correction of blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES), using bovine pericardium derived membrane (TUTOPATCH(®)) for the frontalis suspension. Methods: We prospectively studied 12 eyes from 6 patients (median age 14 months) affected by BPES with severe ptosis. All patients were submitted to a one-stage early correction of ptosis (frontalis suspension with TUTOPACH(®)) and telecanthus and epicanthus inversus. Upper margin reflex distance (MRD), nasal inner intercanthal distance (IICD), horizontal fissure length (HFL), and IICD/HFL ratio were evaluated using photographs. Results: The Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed a statistically significant difference between pre- and post-operative MRD, IICD, HFL, and the IICD/HFL ratio. Conclusion: An early TUTOPATCH-assisted frontalis suspension, together with the correction of telecanthus and epicanthus inversus, is an effective procedure for BPES cases with severe ptosis. Keywords: Blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome; bovine pericardium derived membrane (TUTOPATCH®); eyelid frontalis suspension.