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Diagnosis and Treatment of Lacrimal Gland Prolapse: A Narrative Review

  • Review
  • Eyelid Surgery
  • Published:
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Lacrimal gland prolapse (LGP) is considered to be one of the causes for upper eyelid contour abnormality that should be recognized and treated properly to yield satisfactory outcomes in blepharoplasty. To describe current findings about the prevalence, pre- and intraoperative diagnosis of LGP and its treatment options.

Methods

PubMed and Google Scholar were thoroughly searched for articles published describing the diagnosis and treatment of LGP.

Results

The reported prevalence of LGP by various authors varies between 10 and 60% based on their preoperative or intraoperative reports. Techniques such as dacryoadenopexy, modified dacryoadenopexy, and dacryoplasty have been described to secure the prolapsed lacrimal gland back into its original position. Additionally, creating a Whitnall’s barrier has also been suggested as a method to reposition the gland. While all these surgical procedures have shown promising immediate results, there is a lack of published data on their long-term outcomes.

Conclusion

Diagnosis and proper treatment of LGP could enhance the cosmetic results of upper eyelid blepharoplasty.

Level of Evidence IV

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Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Isfahan eye research center, Department of Ophthalmology, Isfahan University of medical sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    Bahram Eshraghi, Leila Babaei & Ali Aghajani

  2. Ophthalmic Research Center, Research Institute for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Maryam Najafi

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, Labbafinejad Medical Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Maryam Najafi

  4. Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Research Center, The Five Senses Health Institute, Rassoul Akram Hospital, Niayesh Avenue, Sattarkhan Street, Tehran, 1445613131, Iran

    Maryam Moradi & Ali Aghajani

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  1. Bahram Eshraghi
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Correspondence to Ali Aghajani.

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Eshraghi, B., Najafi, M., Babaei, L. et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Lacrimal Gland Prolapse: A Narrative Review. Aesth Plast Surg (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-024-04017-x

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