Management of Marcus Gunn jaw winking synkinesis. 2004

Jeremy D Bowyer, and Timothy J Sullivan
Eyelid, Lacrimal, and Orbital Clinic, Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

OBJECTIVE To report the outcomes of a management protocol for Marcus Gunn jaw winking synkinesis. METHODS The records of 31 patients (16 female, 15 male) presenting to a tertiary referral center with Marcus Gunn jaw winking synkinesis between 1993 and 2003 were retrospectively analyzed. Generally, patients with mild wink and a small degree of ptosis underwent unilateral upper eyelid retractor surgery. Patients with a moderate or marked wink and ptosis underwent bilateral levator weakening procedures and brow suspension. Patients were assessed and treated for amblyopia and vertical strabismus before ptosis surgery. RESULTS Mean patient age was 11.23 years (median, 8 years; range, 10 weeks to 31 years). Ipsilateral hypotropia was noted in 8 patients (26%), with a median visual acuity in the ptotic eye of 20/30 (range, 20/20 to 20/40), compared with 20/20 in those without hypotropia. Patients who underwent unilateral surgery had good correction of ptosis, with equal palpebral apertures and symmetrical contour but had a detectable wink on formal testing. Patients who underwent bilateral surgery had equal palpebral apertures and symmetrical contour, with wink elimination. Mean follow-up was 31 months (all patients) and mean postoperative follow-up was 22 months. CONCLUSIONS Patients with Marcus Gunn jaw winking synkinesis can present at a wide age range. There may be an associated vertical muscle imbalance, which should be managed before ptosis surgery to avoid ptosis undercorrection and allow amblyopia management. Nearly all patients use the synkinesis to reduce the underlying true ptosis to a less noticeable "habitual" ptosis or to maintain binocularity. Surgical approach will differ, depending on whether the synkinesis, ptosis, or both are the main concern. Satisfactory results with a low complication rate can be achieved with the use of this management protocol.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007223 Infant A child between 1 and 23 months of age. Infants
D008297 Male Males
D008334 Mandible The largest and strongest bone of the FACE constituting the lower jaw. It supports the lower teeth. Mylohyoid Groove,Mylohyoid Ridge,Groove, Mylohyoid,Grooves, Mylohyoid,Mandibles,Mylohyoid Grooves,Mylohyoid Ridges,Ridge, Mylohyoid,Ridges, Mylohyoid
D009801 Oculomotor Muscles The muscles that move the eye. Included in this group are the medial rectus, lateral rectus, superior rectus, inferior rectus, inferior oblique, superior oblique, musculus orbitalis, and levator palpebrae superioris. Extraocular Muscles,Extraocular Rectus Muscles,Inferior Oblique Extraocular Muscle,Inferior Oblique Muscles,Levator Palpebrae Superioris,Musculus Orbitalis,Oblique Extraocular Muscles,Oblique Muscle, Inferior,Oblique Muscle, Superior,Oblique Muscles, Extraocular,Rectus Muscles, Extraocular,Superior Oblique Extraocular Muscle,Superior Oblique Muscle,Extraocular Muscle,Extraocular Muscle, Oblique,Extraocular Muscles, Oblique,Extraocular Oblique Muscle,Extraocular Oblique Muscles,Extraocular Rectus Muscle,Inferior Oblique Muscle,Muscle, Oculomotor,Muscles, Oculomotor,Oblique Extraocular Muscle,Oblique Muscle, Extraocular,Oblique Muscles, Inferior,Oblique Muscles, Superior,Oculomotor Muscle,Rectus Muscle, Extraocular,Superior Oblique Muscles
D001763 Blepharoptosis Drooping of the upper lid due to deficient development or paralysis of the levator palpebrae muscle. Ptosis, Eyelid,Blepharoptoses,Eyelid Ptoses,Eyelid Ptosis,Ptoses, Eyelid
D001767 Blinking Brief closing of the eyelids by involuntary normal periodic closing, as a protective measure, or by voluntary action. Orbicularis Oculi Reflex,Reflex, Blink,Reflex, Corneal,Reflex, Orbicularis Oculi,Winking,Blink Reflexes,Corneal Reflexes,Orbicularis Oculi Reflexes,Blink Reflex,Reflexes, Blink,Reflexes, Orbicularis Oculi
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D005143 Eyelids Each of the upper and lower folds of SKIN which cover the EYE when closed. Eyelid
D005260 Female Females

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