Comparison of trichiasis recurrence after primary bilamellar tarsal rotation or anterior lamellar repositioning surgery performed for trachoma

Background: To compare the trichiasis recurrence rate following bilamellar tarsal rotation or anterior lamellar repositioning, performed as primary surgery for trachomatous trichiasis. Design: Retrospective consecutive case series. Participants: All cases of trachomatous trichiasis undergoing primary surgical correction at Alice Springs Hospital, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, between 1 June 2001 and 11 June 2011 were included. Methods: Retrospective chart review. Key baseline, operative and outcome details were collected from the notes. Main Outcome Measure: Recurrent trichiasis was defined as one or more lashes touching the cornea, resulting in recurrent symptoms of trichiasis and warranting further surgery in the opinion of the treating ophthalmologist. Results: Sixty-seven BTR and eighteen ALR procedures were performed, with BTR being performed from 2001 to 2008, and ALR from 2008 to 2011. The mean follow-up times were significantly different for the BTR group (1654 days) and for the ALR group (673 days)(P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis did not reveal any significant differences in recurrence rate between the two procedures overall (P=0.935). Analysis of the 2008 calendar year (the only year where both procedures were performed and therefore had equal follow-up times) suggested that ALR might have a lower recurrence rate (1/10 ALR recurrences vs. 4/6 BTR recurrences, P=0.181). Conclusions: The results do not demonstrate a difference in the recurrence rate between the two techniques. Inconsistent follow times however leave uncertainty in this result, and a larger prospective randomised study is warranted to address this question.