Cicatricial Entropion in Chronic Cicatrizing Conjunctivitis: Potential Pathophysiologic Mechanisms and Long-Term Outcomes of a Modified Technique

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes of severe cicatricial entropion repair with mucous membrane grafting in patients with chronic cicatrizing conjunctivitis and report histopathological changes in the eyelid margin area. Methods: Prospective interventional study included 19 patients with severe cicatricial entropion with trichiasis (N = 20 eyelids; 19 upper and 1 lower eyelid) who underwent anterior lamellar recession (with back cuts) and mucous membrane grafting cover for bare anterior tarsus, lid margin, and 2 mm of marginal tarsus, and had a minimum 6 months of follow-up. The anterior lamella and metaplastic eyelid margins were sent for routine Haematoxylin and Eosin and special staining with Masson trichrome stain. Results: The etiologies were chronic Stevens-Johnson syndrome (N = 6), chemical injury (N = 11), and drug-induced pseudopemphigoid (N = 2). Five eyes had undergone entropion correction in the past, and 9 had electroepilation for trichiasis. Entropion was well corrected (without residual trichiasis) in 85% of eyelids with primary surgery. The etiology-wise success rates were 100% for Stevens-Johnson syndrome, 72.7% for chemical injury, and 100% for drug-induced pseudopemphigoid. Three eyelids with failure belonged to chemical injury, and trichiasis in these eyes could be managed with subsequent interventions except in 1 case. All eyelids had no entropion at a mean follow-up of 10.8 months (range, 6–18). Histopathological evaluation of anterior lamella (N = 10) and eyelid margins revealed significant fibrosis in subepithelial, perimysium (muscle of Riolan), and perifollicular areas. Conclusion: Anterior lamellar recession combined with mucous membrane grafting achieves good cicatricial entropion correction except in eyes with chemical injury. The eyelid margins in these eyes have persistent inflammation, and fibrosis involving lash follicles.