RESECTION OF THE LEVATOR PALPEBRAE MUSCLE FOR PTOSIS

Abstract

From a review of the literature on surgical treatment for ptosis, one is forced to the conclusion that every operation devised for the cure of this condition has one or more disadvantages. This must necessarily be so because of the inherent nature of ptosis. Ptosis may be defined as a drooping of the upper lid, from whatever cause. It may be acquired or congenital, unilateral or bilateral, partial or complete. Acquired ptosis is usually due to disease of the upper lid, to disease of the levator palpebrae muscle or to disease of the nervous system. Congenital ptosis is due to a developmental failure of the levator muscle or, according to some investigators, of the nucleus of the third nerve. The 80 odd surgical procedures suggested for the cure of ptosis may be divided into three categories: first, utilization of the frontalis muscle to support the lid; second, employment of the