• Users Online: 34043
  • Home
  • Print this page
  • Email this page

   Table of Contents      
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 1992  |  Volume : 40  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 103-105

Subconjunctival total excision in the treatment of chronic chalazia


Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College & Hospitals, Calcutta 700073, India

Correspondence Address:
Somdutt Prasad
Resident House Surgeon, Regional institute of Ophthalmology, Medical College & Hospitals, 88, College Street, Calcutta - 700 073
India
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


PMID: 1300299

Rights and PermissionsRights and Permissions
  Abstract 

A technique of subconjunctival total excision was used to treat 34 chronic chalazia. Another 34 were treated by incision and curettage and a further 32 by intralesional injection of long acting steroid. Subconjunctival total excision showed a higher success rate (94.12%) compared to the incision and curettage group (76.47%) and the injection group (75%). As the difference was statistically significant and due to other advantages we recommend subconjunctival total excision as a primary approach in the treatment of chronic chalazia.


How to cite this article:
Prasad S, Gupta A K. Subconjunctival total excision in the treatment of chronic chalazia. Indian J Ophthalmol 1992;40:103-5

How to cite this URL:
Prasad S, Gupta A K. Subconjunctival total excision in the treatment of chronic chalazia. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 1992 [cited 2024 Mar 28];40:103-5. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?1992/40/4/103/24386



Click here to view


Click here to view

  Introduction Top


A chalazion is believed to result from blockage of the meibomian duct orifice or stagnation of the meibomian gland secretions. Histopathology shows a peculiar inflammation of a meibomian gland producing granulation tissue rich in gland cells. The surrounding tissue of the tarsus becomes densely infiltrated with leucocytes ultimately resulting in a mass of granulations surrounded by a ring of fibrous tissue. Further evolution of this process leads to compression of peripheral tissue which now forms a dense capsule and retrogres­sive changes occur centrally [1].

Acute chalazia can be treated conservatively with warm compresses, meticulous eyelid hygiene together with topically applied antibiotics or antibiotic steroid medications [2],[3].

Chronic chalazia are usually treated by incision and curettage, others advocate intralesional injections of long acting steroids, some suggest conservative management over a six week period [3],[4],[5].

We believe that subconjunctival total excision offers a better alternative for treatment of chronic chalazia [6].


  Material and methods Top


Over a period of one year (from November 1989 to October 1990) we treated 100 chalazia. 34 were treated by subconjunctival total excision (Group 1), another 34 by incision and curettage (Group II) and a further 32 by injection of steroid (Group III). The chalazia in this study were 3-7 mm in diameter. Patients with multiple small chalazia, infected chalazia and chalazia near the lacrimal system were excluded from this study. One case of presumed recurrence was eliminated from the study when histopathologic findings demonstrated a sebaceous gland carcinoma.

All cases were examined 2 weeks post-operatively. Patients were considered cured if there was no palpable or visible mass at this examination.

Local anaesthesia (infiltration with 2% lignocaine with adrenaline) was used, for subconjunctival total excision and for the incision and curettage groups.

Surgical Technique of Subconjunctival Total Excision (Group I)

A chalazion clamp was applied after infiltration with 2% lignocaine with adrenaline and the eyelid everted. A No. 15 Bard-Parker blade was used to make an incision perpendicular to the lid margin overlying the highest bulge of the chalazion. The incision stopped at least 4mm short of the lid margin.

Fine scissors were slipped under the conjunctiva on both sides of the incision to undermine and separate the underlying granuloma.

Undermined conjunctiva was then retracted sideways to expose the bulk of the chalazion. Resection of the chalazion was started at the end farthest from the lid margin. The chalazion was grasped with fine forceps and lifted. Fine scissors were used to undermine a plane between the chalazion and the orbicularis muscle. Dissection was carried out around the chalazion with the last excision being adjacent to the lid margin.

It was usually possible to remove the chalazion in one piece, but some had to be removed piecemeal. The process finished with the smooth surface of the orbicularis lining the floor of the wound and the firm white tarsus along the lateral edges. The conjunctiva was brushed back over the wound, the clamp removed and pressure applied to achieve haemostasis. The eye was then lightly patched after instillation of chloramphenicol eye ointment. The patch was removed after 12-24 hours.

Surgical Technique for Incision and Curettage (Group II)

Steps upto making the incision were identical to that in Group I. After making the incision the contents of the chalazion were vigorously curetted out. The clamp was removed and haemostasis achieved. After­care was similar to that in group 1.

Technique for Intralesional Injection (Group III)

Patients received one injection of triamcinolone acetonide 20 mg/ml, through the conjunctival aspect using a 26G needle. The average volume injected


  Statistical analysis Top


A Chi-square test with one degree of freedom testing the null hypothesis of no association between type of procedure and cure rate was used to analyse the statistical significance in pairs of groups [7].


  Results Top


Table one shows the results obtained. The results showed a 94.12% cure rate for patients in group I, compared to 76.47% in group II and 75.00% in group Ill. There were no recurrences in patients who had been cured by excision over a follow up period of 4-12 months. There was a statistically significant difference in favour of group I over group II(P 0.05) and in group I over group Ill (p. 0.05). Groups II and Ill did not show any significant difference in cure rates (p 0.50).


  Discussion Top


Subconjunctival total excision offers the advantages of complete removal, while preserving conjunctiva. The lump is immediately gone and healing proceeds from a surgical incision rather than from a lump of absorbing residual granulomatous material as in incision and curettage. The excision technique ap­peared to produce less post-operative swelling and discomfort than incision and curettage. The excised tissue was available for histopathological examination. Although a small number (three) chalazia had to be removed piecemeal this did not seem to effect the results.

The defect in the tarsal plate healed by fibrous tissue formation with no deformity [1]. No eyelid mal­formation was observed in our series during follow up.

Epstein and Putterman in their series used an excision technique through a cruciate incision in the conjunctiva and excised the flaps so created. Corneal abrasions occurred in 2 of their patients [8]. We have not come across such a complication using our technique.

However the process is more time consuming and causes more anxiety and discomfort than an injection of steroid. The procedure may not be suitable for chalazia near the lacrimal system, for fear of damaging the canaliculi, and for patients with multiple small chalazia, as extensive dissection would be involved.

Triamcinolone injections offer a method which require minimal facilities and time, no patch is required and patient compliance is very good, with minimum pain bleeding and anxiety. There is no risk of damage to canaliculi and multiple chalazia may be injected in the same sitting if needed.

The reported success rates with injections vary widely and are as follows: Pizarello et al 88% (8 of 17 cases required 2 injections) [5]; Sloas et al 76% (16/21) [9]; Dua and Nilawar 93.3% (12% had 2 injections) [10]; Jacobs et al 8.7% (2/23 cured at 2 weeks) [11]. Jacobs et al further reported a 60% cure rate using incision and curettage.

In our series incision and curettage did not offer a significantly better result than steroid injections. No rise in intraocular tension, lid depigmentation, intraepidermal deposits of steroid or tissue atrophy was noted in our series of patients who received injections.

We have not compared our results with those of conservative treatment. Bohigian et al claimed that 50% chalazia could be cured in 1 month by conservative means [12]. Perry and Sernuik described a 76.6% rate of resolution within one month of medical treatment (warm compresses and lid hygiene) [3].


  Conclusion Top


Subconjunctival total excision is a sure method for treatment of chalazia although intralesional steroid (triamcinolone) injection should be the initial therapy for multiple chalazia, those near the lacrimal system and overly apprehensive patients. We do not recom­mend incision and curettage. It would not be un­reasonable to try a month of conservative therapy (warm compresses, lid hygiene and topical antibiotics) in view of the results reported by others, before proceeding to surgery.

 
  References Top

1.
Duke Elder S, The ocular adnexa. In : System of Ophthalmology St.Louis, C V Mosby Co, 1974, Vol XIII, pp 242-247.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Newell FW:Ophthalmology Principles and Concepts, edition 6, St.Louis, C V Mosby Co, 1986, pp 205-206.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.
Perry HD, Sernuik RA: Conservative treatment of chalazia, Oph­thalmology, 1980; 87; pp 218-221.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
Yassin JG, Minor oculopiastic surgery, In: Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, Silver B(ed), edition 3, Rochester NY, American Academy of Oph­thalmology and Otolaryngology, 1977, pp 63-65.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.
Pizarello LD, Jackobiec FA, et al, lntralesional corticosteroid therapy of chalazia, American Journal of Ophthalmology, 1978, 85, pp 818-821.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.
Christine LZ, Subconjunctival total excision of chalazia, In : Techniques in Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery. Ralph EW(ed), Wiley medical publication, 1986, pp 3-6.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.
Park J E, Park J, Health information and basic medical statistics, In: Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, Banarsidas Bhanot, Jabalpur, edition 12, 1989, pp 451-452.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.
Epstien GA, Putterman AM, Combined excision and drainage with intralesional corticosteroid injection in the treatment of chronic chalazia, Archives of Ophthalmology. 1988, 106, pp 514-516.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.
Sloas HA. Starling J et al, Treatment of chalazia with injected triamcinolone, Ann Ophthalmoi 1983, 15, pp 78-80.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.
Dua HS, Nilawar DV, Non surgical therapy of chalazion, American Journal of Ophthalmology 1983, 15, pp 78-80.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11.
Jacobs PM, Thaller VT, Wong D, Intralesional corticosteroid therapy of chalazia: A comparison with incision and curettage Br. J, Ophthalmol 1984, 68, pp 836-837.  Back to cited text no. 11
    
12.
Bohigian GM, Chalazion: A clinical evaluation, Ann. Ophth 1979, 11, pp 1397-1398.  Back to cited text no. 12
    


    Figures

  [Figure - 1], [Figure - 2], [Figure - 3]
 
 
    Tables

  [Table - 1]


This article has been cited by
1 Chalazion surgery: Advantages of a subconjunctival approach
Duarte, A.F., Moreira, E., Nogueira, A., Santos, P., Azevedo, F.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy. 2009; 11(3): 154-156
[Pubmed]
2 Botulinum toxin A injection for primary and recurrent chalazia
Knezevic, T., Ivekovic, R., Pavicic Astalos, J., Novak Laus, K., Mandic, Z., Matejcic, A.
Graefeæs Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. 2009; 247(6): 789-794
[Pubmed]
3 Management of chalazia in general practice
Gilchrist, H., Lee, G.
Australian Family Physician. 2009; 38(5): 311-314
[Pubmed]
4 Intralesional corticosteroid injection vs surgical treatment of chalazia in pigmented patients
Ahmad, S., Baig, M.A., Khan, M.A., Khan, I.-U.-H., Janjua, T.A.
Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. 2006; 16(1): 42-44
[Pubmed]
5 A rationale for therapeutic decision-making in chalazia
Dhaliwal, U., Bhatia, A.
Orbit. 2005; 24(4): 227-230
[Pubmed]
6 Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection for primary and recurrent chalazia: Is it really effective?
Ben Simon, G.J., Huang, L., Nakra, T., Schwarcz, R.M., McCann, J.D., Goldberg, R.A.
Ophthalmology. 2005; 112(5): 913-917
[Pubmed]
7 A granulomatous conjunctivitis associated with Morexella phenylpyruvica in an ostrich (Struthio camelus)
Gürel, A., Gülçubuk, A., Turan, N.
Avian Pathology. 2004; 33(2): 196-199
[Pubmed]
8 Granulomatous conjunctivitis in an ostrich
Saroglu, M., Yucel, R., Aktas, M.
Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2003; 6(4): 337-339
[Pubmed]
9 A prospective study of cost, patient satisfaction, and outcome of treatment of chalazion by medical and nursing staff
Jackson, T.L., Beun, L.
British Journal of Ophthalmology. 2000; 84(7): 782-785
[Pubmed]
10 Searching Medline by internet. A comparison of five search engines | [Worstelend met de literatuur: Zoeken in Medline via internet - Een vergelijking van vijf zoekmachines]
Zaat, J.
Huisarts en Wetenschap. 1999; 42(1): 11-17
[Pubmed]
11 Behandeling van het chalazion door middel van corticosteroïdinjecties: Een literatuuronderzoek
Baijens, A.T.J.M., Giesen, P.H.J.
Huisarts en Wetenschap. 1997; 40(13): 644-648
[Pubmed]



 

Top
 
 
  Search
 
    Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
    Access Statistics
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  

 
  In this article
Abstract
Introduction
Material and methods
Statistical analysis
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Article Figures
Article Tables

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed6453    
    Printed236    
    Emailed10    
    PDF Downloaded0    
    Comments [Add]    
    Cited by others 11    

Recommend this journal