Comparison of the recurrence rate of entropion via subciliary route and transconjunctival route in combined lateral tarsal strip with retractor advancement procedure for involutional entropion

Objective: To compare the recurrence rate of entropion via subciliary route and transconjunctival route in combined lateral tarsal strip with retractor advancement procedure for involutional entropion correction. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Eye, Combined Military Hospital, Jhelum Cantt, Pakistan from March 2018 to November 2020. Methodology: Seventy-eight eyes of 78 patients with entropion were randomly divided into two groups of 39 each. One group underwent a lateral tarsal strip procedure combined with retractor advancement through the subciliary approach; and the second group underwent the same procedure through the transconjunctival approach. A strip of preseptal orbicularis was excised in every case. Recurrence rate of entropion was recorded in both groups at six-month postoperation. Duration of surgery was recorded in each case. Fisher's Exact test was selected to compare the recurrence rate of entropion and independent samples 't' test was elected for comparing duration of surgery among the two groups. Results: The recurrence rate of entropion with transconjunctival route repair was statistically not significant compared with the subciliary route repair (p>0.999). The transconjunctival route repair achieved statistically significant shorter duration of surgical time as compared to the subciliary route (p<0.001). Conclusion: The transconjunctival approach for involutional entropion correction is as effective as the subciliary approach with lateral tarsal strip and retractor advancement procedure. Surgery duration through the transconjunctival route is significantly shorter as compared to the subciliary approach. (author)