Paste-pinch-cut conjunctivoplasty: subconjunctival fibrin sealant injection in the repair of conjunctivochalasis.

PURPOSE

To describe a new surgical technique for the repair of conjunctivochalasis (CCh) using subconjunctival injection of fibrin sealant followed by conjunctival resection and to present a case series demonstrating our experience with the paste-pinch-cut technique.

METHODS

A total of 139 eyes of 70 patients (43 women, 27 men) with CCh unresponsive to medical therapy received the described surgical treatment. The procedure consists of 3 primary steps-paste: fibrin sealant is injected subconjunctivally in a line inferior to the limbus; pinch: the conjunctiva is grasped with curved ptosis forceps, gathering the excess conjunctiva into a ridge, which is held, allowing the sealant to polymerize; and cut: the ridge of excess conjunctiva and sealant is resected. Subjective symptoms were assessed after surgery.

RESULTS

Conjunctival redundancy was absent postoperatively in all eyes, resulting in a smooth conjunctival surface and restored tear meniscus. At the 3-month follow-up visit, 91.4% of patients reported improvement in symptoms. There were no recurrences or significant complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The present retrospective, noncomparative, consecutive, interventional case series study introduces paste-pinch-cut conjunctivoplasty as a simple and an effective surgical treatment for the repair of CCh in symptomatic patients.