ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectivness of using high porous polyethylene lower eyelid spacers (Medpor LES) combined with the lateral tarsal-strip procedure for reconstruction of the eyelid closure function in paralytic lagophthalmus after facial palsy. MethodsBetween March 2008 and December 2012, 32 patients (32 eyelids) with hypophasis in facial palsy which all sorts of causes lead to were treated with Medpor LES combined with the lateral tarsal-strip procedure. Of 32 cases, 20 were male and 12 were female, aged from 20 to 72 years (mean, 46.8 years). The left eye was involved in 18 cases and the right eye in 14 cases with a disease duration of 1.5 months to 2 years (mean, 4.4 months). All the patients were shown as lower eyelid ectropion, lower eyelid retraction, exposure keratitis, and corneal ulcer, but no obvious upper eyelid retraction was observed. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in all patients. The edema time of the eyelid was from 5 days to 3 weeks (mean, 2 weeks). Conjunctival edema appeared in 4 cases after 2 weeks of operation, which was cured after expectant treatment. The patients were followed up 5-8 months (mean, 6 months). At 1 week, 3 and 6 months after operation, the height of palpebral fissure was reduced, and the degree of lagophthalmus and low eyelid retraction were significantly corrected (P<0.05), but no significant difference among different time points after operation (P>0.05). Outer canthus displacement occurred in 3 cases at 1 month postoperatively, and was cured after the lateral tarsal strip procedure. No lower eyelid ectropion, corneal exposure, or Medpor LES displacement and exposure occurred during follow-up. ConclusionMedpor LES combined with the lateral tarsal-strip procedure has good effectiveness for reconstruction of eyelid closure function in most cases of paralytic lagophthalmus after facial palsy.