A New Sling Material for Ptosis Patients

Abstract

Patients with poor or total absence of levator function require correction of their ptosis by a sling procedure. The aim of the procedure is to utilize the action of the frontalis muscle, innervated by the seventh nerve, to mechanically raise the droopy eyelid. The most common materials used for the sling are autogenous or preserved fascia lata and synthetic products such as nylon or dacron sutures. We introduce a new material for the sling procedure--preserved placental umbilical vein modified for the use as a sling. Two cases are presented in which this material was used with excellent results.