Factors associated with pediatric silicone rod frontalis sling exposure or infection: single-institution experience of 193 eyelids

To determine the pre-operative, peri-operative, or post-operative risk factors that contribute to pediatric frontalis sling infection or exposure.

Retrospective study of 193 eyelids that underwent silicone-rod frontalis sling surgery at a single institution between 2014 and 2019.

A total of 222 eyelids were originally identified. Of the 222 eyelids that underwent frontalis sling surgery, 193 (86.9%) received silicone-rod slings (SRS), 24 (10.8%) received autologous fascia lata sling (AFS), and 5 (2.3%) received Gore-Tex slings (GS). The 193 eyelids that received SRS met inclusion criteria and underwent further statistical analysis. Patients with SRS who did not receive intra-operative antibiotics had a higher risk of infection or exposure compared to patients with SRS that did receive intraoperative antibiotics (P = 0.03). There was no association between SRS exposure and the other studied risk factors (all P-values > 0.41).

Intraoperative antibiotics should be considered in silicone-rod frontalis suspension surgery, as it associated with a decreased risk of exposure or infection.