[Treatment of congenital ptosis in a low-income country: polypropylene frontalis sling at the African Institute of Tropical Ophthalmology]

Abstract

Introduction: Treatment of congenital ptosis is exclusively surgical; the frontalis sling method is most appropriate when the ptosis is severe, with no upper eyelid levator function. This surgery typically utilizes various materials (autologous fascia lata, silicone, nylon, or polypropylene bands, etc.).

Materials and methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study of 22 children under 16 years of age, treated for congenital ptosis by frontalis suspension of the levator muscle of the upper eyelid using the polypropylene technique, between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2017 at the African Institute of Tropical Ophthalmology teaching hospital.

Results: In our study, the surgical result (prior to correction of recurrences) was satisfactory in 81.82 % of cases, with a recurrence rate of 13.64 %. The mean follow-up was 14 months, ranging from 4 to 25 months.

Discussion: The use of polypropylene provides encouraging results in ptosis surgery, while also offering the advantage of being low cost and more available. Its use in developing countries deserves special attention.

Keywords: Congenital ptosis; Frontalis sling; Low-income country; Pays à faible revenu; Polypropylene; Polypropylène; Ptosis congénital; Suspension frontale; Traitement; Treatment.