Epicanthus and/or telecanthus
Choice of operation
Correct large epicanthic folds with a Mustardé double Z -plasty ( 18.1 ). Smaller folds may be corrected with the simpler Y – V plasty ( 18.2 ). In congenital telecanthus the medial canthal tendons are longer than normal, causing lengthening of the distance between the inner canthi. The normal intercanthal distance is approximately half the interpupillary distance. To correct congenital telecanthus the medial canthal tendons must be shortened and refixed to the side of the nose ideally in the region of the posterior lacrimal crest. If the bony anatomy is normal fix the tendons to the periosteum posterior to the original tendon insertion ( 18.1e ) or to the posterior lacrimal crest periosteum. If surgery to the bones is needed to correct a congenital deformity or the effects of trauma, fix the tendon with a transnasal wire ( 18.3 ) or a miniplate or screw attached to the adjacent intact bone.
18.1
Mustardé double Z -plasty
This technique may be used to correct epicanthic folds and/or telecanthus. In telecanthus the eyes (and orbits) are in a normal position. The correction of epicanthic folds with telecanthus is illustrated but the technique may be used for either alone. In any midfacial congenital abnormality look for and correct any underlying bony craniofacial anomaly before surgery to the soft tissues.
Mustardé’s ‘flying man’ must first be marked on the skin of the inner canthi. It is helpful to have a small protractor to measure the angles. A simple one can be made from paper on the operating table.
Mark the site of the intended medial canthus (A in Diag. 18.1a ) on each side. The distance between the marks should be half the interpupillary distance. If there is no telecanthus each mark will lie directly over the existing canthus but on the anterior face of the epicanthic fold. If telecanthus is present each mark will lie medial to the existing canthus.
Pull the skin toward the midline to obliterate each epicanthic fold in turn and mark the site of the existing canthus (B). Join the two marks, A and B (see Diag. 18.1a ). Bisect the line and draw two further lines, 2 mm shorter than A–B and at 60 degrees to A–B (angles b and c). From their ends draw lines of the same length at 45 degrees (angles a and d). Finally draw two lines of the same length from B close to the upper and lower lid margins.
Carefully excise the exposed subcutaneous tissue, which includes orbicularis muscle and the fat deep to it, to expose the medial canthal tendon. The periosteum on the side of the nose will be exposed medially. The angular vein will be encountered and should be preserved if possible.
To correct telecanthus, if present, cut the medial canthal tendon taking care not to damage the underlying lacrimal apparatus which may be identified with lacrimal probes. Pass both ends of a double-armed 4/0 or 5/0 nonabsorbable suture from posterior to anterior through the lateral, cut part of the tendon close to the medial canthus. Pass the needles through the original insertion of the medial canthal tendon. Begin just posterior to the insertion and pass the needles forward through the periosteum and the insertion and tie them anteriorly. This ensures that the medial canthus is not pulled anteriorly.
An alternative method of fixation medially is to identify the posterior lacrimal crest by dissecting just inferior to the lacrimal drainage apparatus. Pass the sutures through the periosteum (see Fig. 7.8d ) instead of the original medial canthal tendon attachment. This pulls the medial canthus further posteriorly but it places the lacrimal canaliculi at greater risk.
Transpose the flaps a and b, and c and d (see Diag. 18.1b ). It may be necessary to trim the flaps slightly to achieve a comfortable fit but be careful not to trim too much. Close the skin with 7/0 or 8/0 absorbable sutures. A 6/0 or 7/0 nonabsorbable suture may be used in an adult and removed after 5 days (see also 9.7B pre , post ).
The scars are usually rather obvious for several months but in time they soften and blend well into the surrounding skin.
Undercorrection of the telecanthus or late drift of the canthi laterally may be corrected with a transnasal wire ( 18.3 ) if not used primarily.
18.2
Y – V plasty
If the epicanthic folds are small this technique may be used instead of a double Z -plasty.
Mark the intended site of the new medial canthus (A on Diag. 18.2a ) and the existing medial canthus (B). Join the marks. From B draw lines equal in length to A–B close to the upper and lower lid margins.
Remove excess subcutaneous tissue (see 18.1d ) to expose the medial canthal tendon. Shorten the tendon as previously described.
18.3
Transnasal wire to fix the canthi
A transnasal wire offers secure fixation of the medial canthus on one or both sides when alternatives may be less satisfactory. It should be avoided, if possible, in children. A double Z -plasty, Y – V incision or oblique straight incision may be used.
In unilateral cases the transnasal wire is anchored around the medial canthal tendon on the normal side and acts as an anchor for the medial canthal tissues on the affected side. In bilateral cases the transnasal wire anchors the medial canthal tissues on both sides which pull against each other across the nose.
Before operation it is important to establish that the cribriform plate ( Figs 18.3 XR1 , XR2 arrow ) is in a normal position. If it is low the wire would enter the anterior cranial fossa and cause a leak of cerebrospinal fluid – an alternative method of fixation should be used.
In unilateral cases mark and incise the skin (see comment on incisions 18.3 ) and remove the subcutaneous tissue if necessary to expose the medial canthal tendon (see Figs 18.1a–d ). In traumatic cases the tendon may have been destroyed. In the case illustrated a left unilateral telecanthus is being corrected. A left dacryocystorhinostomy was performed at the same time and bilateral straight incisions have been used.
In bilateral cases repeat the procedure on the opposite side.
In unilateral cases incise the periosteum of the anterior lacrimal crest and strip the periosteum laterally together with the medial canthal tendon and lacrimal sac until the lacrimal fossa is clearly exposed. Make a large osteum, 10 to 15 mm diameter, in the floor of the lacrimal fossa and excise part of the anterior lacrimal crest as for a dacryocystorhinostomy. Note that a dacryocystorhinostomy can be performed at this stage if indicated.
On the opposite side expose the medial canthal tendon through a dacryocystorhinostomy incision and do not cut it. Incise the periosteum of the anterior lacrimal crest inferior to the medial canthal tendon and reflect it laterally with the lacrimal sac to expose the lacrimal fossa, leaving the medial canthal tendon intact. Place a stay suture around it.
In bilateral cases cut the medial canthal tendon, reflect the lacrimal sac, make a large osteum in the floor of the lacrimal fossa and trim the anterior lacrimal crest on both sides.
In unilateral cases place a metal guard to protect the eye on the affected side. Pass the awl from the normal side through the osteum in the floor of the lacrimal fossa as far posteriorly as possible.
In bilateral cases the wire can be introduced from either side.
Pull through the unclipped end of the nylon suture and clip it. This suture now lies freely through the nose with a clip on each end. Introduce a new length of nylon suture into the eye of the awl and clip one end.
Holding the looped end of the wire firmly in artery forceps to retain it in place, carefully withdraw the awl back across the nose. Leave a clip on the loop of wire.
Pull through the unclipped end of the second nylon suture and clip it. It now lies freely through the nose with a clip on each end. Remove the awl from the free end of the wire.
In unilateral cases, having withdrawn the awl back across the nose and removed it, pass one end of the wire beneath the medial canthal tendon on the normal side so that one end of the wire lies each side of the tendon.
In bilateral cases place the tip of an artery forceps between the two limbs of the wire, close to the osteum in the lacrimal fossa ready for the wires to be wound around it.
