[Whitnall's ligament suspension technique in ptosis surgery]

Introduction: We report our experience in ptosis surgery using the technique of Whitnall's ligament suspension in congenital ptosis.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study of 20 cases of congenital ptosis treated by the technique of Whitnall's ligament suspension, 8 by the posterior approach and 12 by the anterior approach. Patients were randomized into 3 groups according to upper eyelid levator function. Postoperative follow-up was obtained on day 1, one week, one month, three months and one year.

Results: All patients had good correction; 3 had an under-correction as a three-month final result, of which only one required reoperation for an unsatisfactory result. There was no abnormal curvature of the lid margin or malposition of the lid crease. All lids required initial over-correction, which yielded a good end result. The success rate was 85%.

Discussion: The technique of Whitnall's ligament suspension for the treatment of ptosis has rarely been described in the literature, but the few studies reported show its equivalence in terms of results to other surgical techniques for treatment of ptosis and also confirm its superiority in terms of respect for anatomy and physiology of the eyelid.

Conclusion: This technique is particularly suited to the treatment of congenital ptosis with moderate levator function, and the results are promising.