[Small-incision, minimal dissection procedure (Frueh's procedure) in correction of involutional and congenital ptosis: A retrospective study of 119 cases].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of the new small anterior incision, small-incision dissection procedure (Frueh's procedure) for the correction of involutional and congenital blepharoptosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study to compare different parameters between Frueh's procedure and the traditional aponeurotic anterior approach in a group of 98 involutional blepharoptosis patients and between Frueh's procedure and Whitnall's sling in a group of 21 congenital blepharoptosis patients. The main criterion was recurrence requiring reintervention.

RESULTS: In the adult's group, the rate of reoperation was not significantly different for the two surgical procedures (p=0.82). In the children's group, the rate of reoperation was not significantly different for the two surgical procedures (p=0.3).

DISCUSSION: In adults, compared with the traditional aponeurotic approach, Frueh's procedure for blepharoptosis correction is equally efficacious in correcting eyelid height, superior in producing desirable eyelid contour, and much quicker to perform. In children, Frueh's procedure is a good technique for mild and moderate blepharoptosis with a good levator function. However, Frueh's procedure in severe blepharoptosis with low levator function seems not to be as efficient as the traditional surgical techniques.

CONCLUSION: This study confirms Frueh's procedure as a reference for the treatment of adults and children with blepharoptosis.