Transconjunctival Müller's muscle Tucking Method for Non-incisional Correction of Mild Ptosis: The Effectiveness and Maintenance.

[BACKGROUND] In patients with a mild degree ptosis who undergo non-incisional double-eyelid blepharoplasty, simultaneous correction of ptosis is needed to prevent loosening. The transconjunctival Müller's muscle tucking (TMMT) method may be useful in these cases.

[OBJECTIVES] The authors performed this study to present the details of the current use of the TMMT method and to provide objective evidence for ptosis correction and its sustained effect.

[METHODS] A total of 322 eyelids in 161 patients who underwent mild ptosis correction with the TMMT method from July 2012 to December 2017 were retrospectively examined. The continuous suture method using a single stitch was used for double-fold formation, and the TMMT method was used for ptosis correction for the other incision. The margin to reflex distance (MRD) 1 was evaluated at pre-operation, immediate post-operation, and at 2, 6 months post-operation.

[RESULTS] A total of 34 patients who had more than 6 months of follow-up were included. Right-side MRD1 values were 2.08 (± 0.19) mm before the surgery, 3.49 (± 0.16) mm immediately after the surgery, 3.33 (± 0.14) mm at postoperative 2 months, and 3.22 (± 0.17) mm at postoperative 6 months (p < 0.001). The difference of MRD1 between immediate post-operation and at 6 months was 0.25 mm without statistical significance (p > 0.05). Complications (fold loosening, asymmetry, and ptosis recurrence) occurred in three cases (8.8%), all of which were re-corrected by applying the TMMT method.

[CONCLUSIONS] The TMMT method was useful for correction of mild ptosis, showed little recurrence, and prevented loss of fold by giving a vertical force to the double-fold.

[LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV] This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .