Velosorb sutures for upper blepharoplasty

Question

Hello, I’m considering an upper bleph and doing as much research as possible, (including suture type) so I can ask the best questions. I know some surgeons use absorbable sutures and a couple mentioned Velosorb, “braided fast absorbable sutures composed of an absorbable synthetic polyester comprised of glycolide and lactide.”The mfr of these doesn’t recommend them tho for ophthalmic surgery. Is an upper bleph considered ophthalmic and if so, why wouldn’t this suture type be appropriate? Thanks!

Lauren D. Mileo, MD · Answer

An upper eyelid blepharoplasty is consider ophthalmic because it deals with the "periocular" or area around your eye. Some oculoplastic surgeons (those specialized in eyelid plastic surgery) use absorbable or nonasborbable sutures. The eyelid skin is very thin and so requires a small nonreactive/inflammatory suture to help it heal. The most common sutures used are prolene (nonasborbable, removed within a week after surgery) or gut suture (nonbraided absorbable). Velosorb is a braided aborbable suture that is supposed to dissolve fast (similar to a gut suture). I (as an oculoplastic surgeon) do not have experience with this specific suture, but the braided nature worries me that it can cause more inflammation (aka scarring) of the scar.

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