Lower Postoperative Scar Height is Associated with Increased Postoperative Trichiasis 1 Year after Bilamellar Tarsal Rotation Surgery

ABSTRACTPurpose: To investigate the relationship between postoperative scar height and surgical success of the bilamellar tarsal rotation (BLTR) procedure, commonly used to correct trichiasis secondary to trachoma.Methods: Using data from the Partnership for the Rapid Elimination of Trachoma surgical trial, comparing the new trachomatous trichiasis (TT) clamp with standard BLTR instrumentation, 145 sequential participants (245 eyelids) at their 1-year postoperative visit were examined. We measured internal and external scar heights from the upper eyelid margin for nasal, central and temporal sections and compared these to recurrence location at 1 year. We calculated odds of location-specific postoperative trichiasis and examined possible risk factors associated with postoperative trichiasis.Results: A total of 77 eyelids (31%) had postoperative trichiasis, which most commonly occurred centrally. Regardless of instrumentation used, the closer the internal scar was to the eyelid margin, the higher the propo...