Comparing different spacer grafts for eyelid retraction repair

Study Protocol for Comparison of Lower Eyelid Retraction Repair With Hard Palate, Autologous Ear Cartilage, and Porcine Acellular Dermal Matrix Spacer Grafts

Not applicable Interventional Montefiore Medical Center · NCT04140734

This study tests which of three different types of grafts works best for fixing lower eyelid retraction in people who need surgery for this condition.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMontefiore Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (The Bronx, New York)
Trial IDNCT04140734 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of three types of spacer grafts—hard palate, autologous ear cartilage, and porcine acellular dermal matrix—in repairing lower eyelid retraction. Lower eyelid retraction can lead to various symptoms, including ocular irritation and potential vision issues. The study will measure outcomes using the margin to reflex distance 2 (MRD2) metric to determine which graft type provides the best surgical results. Participants will have undergone lower eyelid retraction repair requiring a spacer graft within a specified timeframe.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults who have undergone lower eyelid retraction repair requiring a spacer graft between July 1, 2019, and July 1, 2022.

Not a fit: Patients younger than 18 years old or those requiring concurrent surgeries will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved surgical outcomes for patients with lower eyelid retraction.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the effectiveness of different spacer graft materials, indicating that this approach is still being explored.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Underwent lower eyelid retraction repair requiring a spacer graft between July 1, 2019 and July 1, 2022

Exclusion Criteria:

* Younger than 18 years old
* Required concurrent surgeries (e.g., midface lift or full thickness skin graft) or required further surgeries on the operated eyelid within the 6 months postoperatively
* Patients with less than 1-month follow up will be excluded from all outcome analysis and those without postoperative 6-month data will be excluded from the postoperative month 6 MRD2 calculation

Where this trial is running

The Bronx, New York

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Eyelid DiseasesEyelid DroopRetraction RepairHard PalateAutologous Ear Cartilageporcine acellular dermal matrixspacer graft
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.