eMedicine Specialties > Plastic Surgery > Eyelids

Blepharoplasty, Upper Lid Ptosis Surgery: Workup

Author: Jorge I de la Torre, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Residency Program Director, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Director, Center for Advanced Surgical Aesthetics
Coauthor(s): Luis O Vasconez, MD, FACS, Chief, Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jan 30, 2008

Workup

Laboratory Studies

  • Laboratory studies should be performed as needed for routine preoperative evaluation. However, a comprehensive evaluation for patients with ptosis of unclear etiology can include clinical examination by a neurologist and ophthalmologist; radiographic evaluation of the brain, orbits, and chest; and blood work.

Other Tests

  • A thorough evaluation of both functional and aesthetic problems is required prior to ptosis repair surgery. This includes assessment of visual acuity, corneal irritation, and excessive or insufficient tearing. Test for myasthenia gravis using the Tensilon test. Horner syndrome can be tested by stimulation with 10% phenylephrine hydrochloride solution, which corrects the ptosis. Preoperative photographs document the degree of ptosis and asymmetry as well as provide a comparison to evaluate postoperative results.

More on Blepharoplasty, Upper Lid Ptosis Surgery

Overview: Blepharoplasty, Upper Lid Ptosis Surgery
Workup: Blepharoplasty, Upper Lid Ptosis Surgery
Treatment: Blepharoplasty, Upper Lid Ptosis Surgery
Follow-up: Blepharoplasty, Upper Lid Ptosis Surgery
Multimedia: Blepharoplasty, Upper Lid Ptosis Surgery
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

blepharoptosis, upper lid blepharoplasty, ptosis correction, levator plication, upper lid ptosis surgery, upper lid ptosis, ptosis surgery

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Jorge I de la Torre, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Residency Program Director, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Director, Center for Advanced Surgical Aesthetics
Jorge I de la Torre, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American Burn Association, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Association for Academic Surgery, and Medical Association of the State of Alabama
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Luis O Vasconez, MD, FACS, Chief, Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Luis O Vasconez, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American Burn Association, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society for Head and Neck Surgery, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, and American Surgical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Neal R Reisman, MD, JD, Associate Chief, Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinical Associate Professor, St Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine
Neal R Reisman, MD, JD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American College of Medical Quality, American College of Surgeons, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Lipoplasty Society of North America, Texas Medical Association, and Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

R Edward Newsome, MD, Associate Professor, Program Director and Chief, Department of Surgery, Section of Plastic Surgery, Tulane University Health Sciences Center
R Edward Newsome, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Louisiana State Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD, Practice Director, Colorado Plastic Surgery Center at Swedish Medical Center
Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Medical Association, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Colorado Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Lars M Vistnes, MD, FRCSC, FACS, Professor of Surgery, Emeritus, Stanford University Medical Center
Lars M Vistnes, MD, FRCSC, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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