Temporary Bolster Tarsorrhaphy

This is Richard Allen at the University of Iowa.  This video demonstrates a temporary bolster tarsorrhaphy.  In this video, a red robin catheter is used for the bolster and a 5-0 prolene suture is used for the suture.  The suture has already been place through the bolster.  It is then placed through the upper eyelid to exit out the meibomian gland orifices.  The suture then is placed through the lower lid meibomian gland orifices and through the lower eyelid.  The bolster is then engaged and the suture is turned back around to engage the bolster followed by the lower lid, then the upper eyelid, and then the bolster.  The suture is tied to close the medial portion of the eyelid.  In this case a lateral bolster will be placed as well. Again, the suture has already been placed through the bolster, followed by the upper eyelid, then lower eyelid, then bolster.  The suture is then turned around and placed through the bolster, followed by the lower eyelid, then upper eyelid, then bolster and then tied.