Upper Eyelid Gold Weight Implantation with Indigenous Design in Facial Palsy

Abstract

To evaluate the success of gold weight implants in alleviating the ocular problems associated with facial palsies while at the same time experimenting with indigenously designed implants. Eleven patients with unrecoverable facial palsies were included in this study. Gold weight plate implants designed by the author were implanted under the Orbicularis and sutured to the tarsal plate. Additional procedures were adapted to correct ectropion of lower lid. Follow up period ranged from 12 — 24 months. Signs and symptoms of corneal exposure were corrected in all of patients. Except for one extrusion all the implants took well. Gold weight implants seem to provide a reliable, and effective way of dealing with ocular complications associated with facial palsy.