Superior oblique tendon damage resulting from eyelid surgery.

PubMed ID: 17953939

Author(s): Kushner BJ, Jethani JN. Superior oblique tendon damage resulting from eyelid surgery. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007 Dec;144(6):943-948. Epub 2007 Oct 22. PMID 17953939

Journal: American Journal Of Ophthalmology, Volume 144, Issue 6, Dec 2007

PURPOSE To describe the occurrence of superior oblique (SO) tendon damage resulting from upper eyelid surgery and to explain its cause and treatment.

DESIGN Retrospective, observational case series.

METHODS An institution-based retrospective observational case series of seven patients in whom damage to the SO tendon secondary to eyelid surgery developed.

RESULTS In four of the patients, ipsilateral SO palsy developed, and three patients, a Brown syndrome pattern developed. The causative eyelid procedures consisted of surgery to correct ptosis in four patients, tumor removal in two patients, and cosmetic blepharoplasty in one patient.

CONCLUSIONS The SO tendon may be damaged as a result of eyelid surgery. The anatomy of the SO tendon should be kept in mind while performing surgery in the superomedial aspect of the upper eyelid.