Early versus late gold weight implantation for rehabilitation of the paralyzed eyelid.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes and complications associated with early gold weight implantation for management of the paralyzed eyelid. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective review of clinical charts was conducted to analyze results and complications in patients who underwent gold weight implantation within 30 days of onset of facial nerve paralysis and to compare these outcomes with those of patients who received gold weights after a traditional waiting period. METHODS The charts of 67 patients who underwent gold weight implantation during the time period of this study were reviewed. Patients were categorized into "early" or "late" groups based on whether gold weights were implanted before or after 30 days following onset of facial nerve paralysis. Etiology of facial nerve paralysis, degree of paralysis, timing of surgery, and outcomes of the procedure, including degree of lid closure and complication rates, were compared between the two groups. RESULTS Of the 67 patients, 49.3% underwent gold weight implantation within 30 days of onset of paralysis and 50.7% received gold weights after 30 days. A total of 89.2% of all patients who underwent implantation in this study achieved satisfactory lid closure after the initial procedure. Both early and late implantation groups had statistically similar lid closure and complication rates. CONCLUSIONS Implantation of gold weights within 30 days of paralysis is as effective for the management of paralytic lagophthalmos as delayed implantation and is not associated with higher complication rates. Early implantation of gold weights should be considered in all patients with paralytic lagophthalmos.