Use of Topical Antibacterial and Steroid Ophthalmic Ointment after Transconjunctival Lower-Lid Blepharoplasty for Prevention of Chemosis

Abstract

Introduction:

The transconjunctival approach for lower-lid blepharoplasty has gained increased attention because lower complication rates have been reported than for the transcutaneous approach. However, chemosis, or conjuncti-val edema, may still occur in patients postoperatively. Our study aims to review the rates of postoperative chemosis, and analyze how use of a topical antibiotic- and steroid-containing ophthalmic ointment affects those rates.

Materials and Methods:

The charts of 100 patients who underwent transconjunctival lower-lid blepharoplasties by one surgeon were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. The rate of postoperative chemosis was compared between patients who had routine postoperative administration of topical antibiotic and steroid ophthalmic ointment and those who had not.

Results:

Of the patients received postoperative steroid and antibiotic ophthalmic ointment, 29% developed postoperative chemosis, compared with 30% of patients who did not receive the treatment. Concurrent upper-lid blepharoplasty increased the rate of postoperative chemosis across all patients (OR 3.0; P= .017).

Conclusions:

Although many surgeons routinely use ophthalmic solutions and ointments with antibiotics and/or steroids after a transconjunctival approach, very little data support this practice. Our study demonstrates that there is no significant difference in the rate of postoperative chemosis when such agents are used routinely after transconjunctival lower-lid blepharoplasty.