What's the average eyelid surgery time for correcting ptosis?

While upper eyelid surgery is not a lengthy procedure, it is not a foot race either.  The conjunctival mullerectomy ptosis surgery is a relatively brief procedure.  An anterior levator aponeurosis resections requires additional intraoperative time.  So the exact time of surgery varies with the procedure done and whatever else is needed with surgery.  Prior eyelid surgery results in a more complex dissection.  Removal of skin with the ptosis surgery adds time.  Abnormal bleeding can prolong surgery.  How fast a surgeon is does not correlate with the quality of the surgeon or the surgery.

This varies depending on the approach used - external versus internal as well as if skin is being removed concurrently through an external approach.  Also, it depends on the expereince and technique of the surgeon.  That being said, the amount of time it takes to do a surgery does not necessarily reflect the outcome of the surgery!  Go to a surgeon that you trust and has a reputation for good results.  Good luck!

 

There are many differnent classifications of ptosis and likewise, types of ptosis surgeries to address an individual patient's condition. For 'routine' ptosis from stretching or dehiscence of the muscle that raises the upper eyelid, the surgery typically takes 30-40 minutes for a bilateral case. More complicated ptosis corrections can add surgical time. Ultimately, the goal is to give the patient an outstanding result, so time in the OR is really not the key factor.