[Posterior approach to gold weight implant].

PURPOSE To demonstrate an innovative technique of gold weight implantation through a posterior approach and evaluate its effectiveness and possible complications. The results will be compared to the other existing technique through anterior approach which has been unchanged for a long time, according to the literature. METHODS A prospective study (sequence of cases) was undertaken with patients who presented paralytic lagophthalmos for over 6 months. These patients presented many different etiologies and were assisted at the Department of Ophthalmology of Governador Celso Ramos Hospital-SC from February 2006 to February 2007. The implantation through posterior approach was performed by only 2 surgeons. RESULTS Thirteen patients with paralytic lagophthalmos, 9 men and 4 women, with an average age of 53.07 (range from 17 to 73) were submitted to a gold weight implantation through posterior approach. The follow-up period of those patients varied from 2 months to 1 year, with an average of 6.3 months. In 3 of the patients, the implanted weight caused asymmetry to the margin-reflex distance (MRD) on the primary look position with ptosis of 2 mm in 2 patients and 4 mm in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS Although such technique has shown a satisfactory result, the authors believe that it is essential to extend the follow-up a little longer, so that the sustainability of its efficacy can be proved.